Charities’ hotline will help to keep kids safe

Children’s charity Barnardo’s Scotland and Crimestoppers are launching a new service in Scotland today that will allow people to pass on information, anonymously, about Child S e x u a l Exploitation.

Barnardo’s Scotland’s Nightwatch Hotline is a joint initiative between the two charities and Police Scotland.

It has been set up to allow the public, and those working within the nighttime economy, to share anonymous information as the organizations look to support the fight against CSE.

After significant awareness raising of CSE with those working within the nighttime economy, Barnardo’s Scotland identified a gap in relation to a safe and secure way in which workers and the public could share information regarding any worries or concerns that they have, relating to the possible sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

Workers participating in this training had already told the charity that they ‘ would not’ routinely contact the police about such concerns.

The children’s charity approached Crimestoppers UK to assist them to develop a robust reporting mechanism whereby they could provide some of the key industries, that come into contact with children and young people, an opportunity to be able to report incidents or concerns around CSE as well as educating those industries and the public on the signs to look out for.

Daljeet Dagon, from Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Our hotline will provide a safe and secure means for workers in the night- time economy and the public to share any worries or concerns they have.

“The night-time economy boasts a vast, vibrant and diverse workforce from bar staff and hoteliers to bus drivers and the emergency departments in hospitals.

“The staff who work within these different industries can, together, offer protection to the community as a whole by recognising the signs of CSE and simply passing on any suspicions they have through our Nightwatch Hotline.”

If you have information about a young person being sexually exploited, then please phone Barnardo’s Scotland’s Nightwatch Hotline on 0800 389 0131.

For more information go to www.barnardosnightwatch. com