Northumberland supports child exploitation awareness day

16 Mar 2022 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Residents in Northumberland are being reminded of how to spot the signs this National Child Exploitation Awareness Day. 
 
The awareness day which takes place on Friday 18 March 2022 aims to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation; encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero-tolerance policy to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children; or children exploiting and abusing their peers.  
 
Cath McEvoy-Carr, Executive Director for children’s services, said: “It is extremely important that we all work together to inform, educate and prevent child abuse within Northumberland.

“As a council we are committed to the fight against child criminal and child sexual exploitation, supporting victims and their families who are subjected to child exploitation.
 
“No child or young person should be subjected to exploitation and everyone, including those who live and work in our communities can play a vital role in insuring that is the case by recognising the signs.” 
 
Parents and carers may find it difficult to differentiate between what is ordinary teenage behaviour and what is a risk of or involvement in exploitation but there are some signs that may signify that children or young people are being groomed for exploitation or actually being exploited. 
 
Paula Mead, Independent Safeguarding Scrutiny and Assurance Chair for the Northumberland Safeguarding Children’s Committee, said: “It is extremely hard to spot the signs of exploitation, but by more people looking out for it, we will be able to help more children and young people from being abused, mistreated or exploited.  
 
“We all have a responsibility to safeguard our children and young people. I strongly urge anyone who has concerns to raise them as soon as they are able to either through the safeguarding channels at the council or if an emergency, the police.” 
 
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, so it is important to learn how to Spot the Signs: 
 
·        Change in friends 
·        Change in appearance 
·        Missing day or night 
·        Going to new places 
·        Spending more time online 
·        Unexplained injuries  
·        Coping mechanisms; self-harm, alcohol or drugs  
·        New unexplained items 
 
Find out more about how you can help a child or young person you are concerned about at https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Children/Safeguarding.aspx