Sirens help deliver drive to protect kids
A CHARITY campaign to encourage children to speak out about abuse is set to take centre stage at a Glasgow netball game.
The UWS Sirens, who will display the NSPCC Scotland logo on their official team dresses this season, will be taking to court at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena in front of Sky Sports’ cameras.
The charity’s message encourage children to ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ is aimed at giving youngsters, and young women, an understanding of what constitutes abuse while empowering them to talk to a trusted adult about their worries.
THE NSPCC’s message encouraging children to ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ will reach a UK-wide audience tonight when the UWS Sirens take to the court in Glasgow.
The Scottish netball side will host Severn Stars in round seven of the Vitality Super League at the Emirates Arena, with Sky Sports’ cameras there to capture all the action for a live Friday night broadcast, starting at 7.30pm on Sky Sports Mix.
More than 237,150 primary school pupils have received the service since it started in Scotland in 2012.
NSPCC Scotland Schools Service manager Alan Stewart said: “It has been a real boost to have the Sirens put our message out there and Friday night will be a great chance to see it live on TV.
“The team share our ethos in encouraging young people to speak out while also promoting health and well-being by encouraging children, par- ticularly young girls, to get involved in sport.
“We’re grateful for their support of our work i n Scotland to fight for every childhood and we are looking forward to seeing our name in lights.”
Friday marks the last game of the current season before a month-long break where much of the UWS Sirens team will jet off to compete for their respective nations in the Commonwealth Games.
Claire Brownie, UWS Sirens Captain said: “The message of speak out, stay safe is one close to my heart because every day I work with young children and I hate the thought of any of them living in undesirable conditions or experiencing any form of abuse.
“No-one should take those rights away and I admire the hard work and passion this charity has to ensure young children are well educated and know they can and should ‘speak out’.
“I am proud to wear their hashtag on our dress to help in any way we can to spread the message.”
Figures show the NSPCC transferred more than 250 calls to police in Scotland from 2016-2017.
A total of 265 cases were passed on to authorities in 2016/17, up from 187 in the previous year.
There were also a further 167 contacts where helpline staff gave advice about sexual abuse against young people.
The figures formed part of a total of 4677 referrals made UK-wide, up from 3578 in 2015/16.