Campaign to save children from abuse

EDUCATION: Hundreds of parents, teachers, social workers and nursery staff in Sheffield have joined a scheme to prevent children and young people from falling into the hands of sexual predators.

A CAMPAIGN to end child sexual abuse and exploitation is being stepped up a gear in a Yorkshire city this month.

Hundreds of parents, teachers, social workers and nursery staff in Sheffield joined the scheme, which aims to prevent children and young people from falling into the hands of sexual predators.

Different sectors and organisations have come together to attend workshops and training sessions as part of the NSPCC and Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board initiative. The ‘It’s Not Okay’ campaign was launched in Sheffield last year and aims to educate children, parents and the public about abuse and exploitation.

More than 350 social workers, teachers and nursery workers have attended lunchtime training events and thousands of posters and resource packs have been sent to schools, nurseries and children’s centres.

The campaign will now roll out its programme in all Sheffield secondary schools this month with a theatre production and workshop for all year seven pupils devised to explore themes of abuse and exploitation.

Jane Haywood, independent chair of Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board, said: “This campaign goes to the heart of our work to prevent child sexual exploitation and abuse.

“The support the campaign has gained could not have been predicted and shows that there really is a need for more information and awareness around child sexual abuse.”

The NSPCC and mobile operator O2 have delivered 18 online safety workshops to parents, teachers and young people across the city. Helen Westerman, NSPCC campaign manager, said: “The response to the campaign has been extremely positive with lots of organisations getting in touch to find out more about the campaign and access the free workshops and seminars that are available.

“A huge thank-you to all those who have promoted the campaign with parents, children and young people so far.

“We have another six months of campaigning ahead and would like to keep the momentum up so if your school, organisation, club or voluntary group would like a workshop around how to talk to children about staying safe from child sexual abuse or how to keep children safe online, get in touch.”

The campaign works with Sheffield Council, South Yorkshire Police, the NHS and the voluntary sector.

South Yorkshire found itself at the centre of a national scandal after a report by Professor Alexis Jay, published in 2014, revealed the shocking scale of child grooming in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, with 1,400 children abused as local authorities failed to tackle the problem.

The National Crime Agency launched Operation Stovewood in 2015. It looks into historic child sexual exploitation carried out in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

As of last month, 38 individuals have been arrested, 18 have been charged and three have been convicted as part of Operation Stovewood.

Officers are engaging with 253 victims and there are currently 34 investigations ongoing under the Operation Stovewood umbrella, which is looking at allegations of sexual abuse between 1997 and 2013.

We have another six months of campaigning ahead. Helen Westerman, NSPCC campaign manager.