Help to spot the signs of abuse

Abuse can happen to anyone and can take many different forms, which is why the theme of this year’s safeguarding awareness week from 9 to 13 October is ‘Safeguarding is everybody’s business’.

Safeguarding week aims to raise awareness of the different forms abuse and the part everyone can play in helping to spot it.

Professionals from all agencies working to safeguard children and adults across York and North Yorkshire will attend a conference in Harrogate on 9 October to learn more about the issue and to share ideas.

Delegates will hear from Lorin LaFave, whose son, Breck was groomed online and killed by his groomer. She founded the Breck Foundation to raise awareness of the dangers young people face online every day. Professor Nick Frost, independent chairman of the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board, said: “Many parents are nervous about how to protect their children when they use the internet, especially in the light of high-profile news stories about online grooming.”

From a survey of children in North Yorkshire schools, eight per cent said they communicate with people they have met online and do not know in real life, and 33 per cent said they use picture/video sharing sites and apps. Six per cent of pupils said that they had seen pictures or videos that they found upsetting online and almost a third said that they are never supervised when using the internet at home. Other subjects addressed in the conference will include modern slavery, suicide prevention, hate crime, financial abuse and exploitation, safeguarding in sport and the Prevent programme, which works with individuals vulnerable to extremism.

During safeguarding week, events will be held across North Yorkshire to offer advice and guidance on a range of issues such as staying safe online, cyber-bullying, grooming and safety in sport, as well as advice for parents. To find an event and to book a place, go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/safeguardingweek.