Charity brings its anti-abuse project to Fallin

A leading children’s charity will pay a landmark visit to Fallin Primary this week.

The NSPCC will deliver their Speak Out, Stay Safe programme to pupils at the school on Wednesday and Thursday.

And this means that all schools within the Stirling Council area have been visited by the educational anti-abuse project – with more than 5000 children benefitting from the programme in total.

The initiative, which was launched locally in February 2014, uses ageappropriate information and advice to educate young people on how to stay safe from abuse while learning about which adults they can turn to for help.

Fallin Primary will become the 40th school in the area to host the assemblies and workshops.

Enola Butler, NSPCC schools service area co-ordinator for Stirling, said: “We know from children’s contacts with the NSPCC’s childline service that although the average age of children contacting us is over 11, they tell us about abuse that has happened while they were much younger.

“They say they didn’t understand what was happening to them, didn’t realise it was wrong or were too frightened to tell anyone about it. The NSPCC’s Speak Out, Stay Safe programme works with primary schools across P1 to P7 and helps pupils develop an understanding of abuse in all its forms, know how to get help and to help them think about which trusted adults they could talk to if they are worried about anything at all. Our visit to Fallin Primary School means that every primary school across the area has had the service at least once; in fact more than half have had at least two visits.

“We greatly appreciate the support of Stirling Council and look forward to that partnership continuing long into the future.”

The NSPCC organises workshops and assemblies with the help of trained staff and volunteers.

Mascot Buddy the speech bubble is used alongside interactive games to encourage children to think about what abuse is and how to spot it and speak out about it.

Research from the charity has shown that an average of two children in every class across the UK have been a victim of abuse or neglect.

Bryony Monaghan, service manager for additional support needs and wellbeing with Stirling Council

Although average age of children contacting us is over 11, they tell us about abuse that happened while they were much younger

said: “Our children’s services plan has been developed to ensure that partners are working well together to safeguard and promote wellbeing for children.

“We are delighted to work in partnership with NSPCC Scotland who have now delivered their Speak Out, Stay Safe programme in all of our primary schools.

“Pupils take part in assemblies and workshops allowing them to learn about keeping themselves safe in a fun and interactive way.”