Warrington Borough Council is encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse as part of National Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day.
The day, which takes place on Sunday March 18, will see the council joining partners across the region in highlighting the issues surrounding CSE, promoting a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children, or children developing inappropriate relationships with other children.
During the day the council will be taking part in a “Thunderclap” and is asking residents to join them. A thunderclap is a tool used on social media sites to simultaneously post a message from hundreds of accounts www.thunderclap.it/projects/66880-cse-awareness-day-2018#
More than one in three children (34%) who experienced contact sexual abuse by an adult do not tell anyone else about it.
Joining together to highlight the issues surrounding CSE, will encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse, and show that everyone has a role to play in raising awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation.
Cllr Jean Carter, executive board member for Children’s Services said: “We all have a duty to protect those who are most vulnerable within our communities. Every day we continue to work hard to protect children and to ensure the appropriate advice, support and safeguarding is in place for them.
“It is important to remember there is never one type of victim or offender and that child sexual exploitation can happen to anyone. The impact this type of crime can have on a child is absolutely devastating and can have a long lasting and significant effect on all those involved.
“CSE Awareness Day provides an opportunity for all of us to focus on this very important issue. Safeguarding children is everyone’s business, and I urge you to show your support for this campaign, be alert, and help raise awareness. If we work together, we can prevent the sexual exploitation of young people.”
The council and its partners are committed to the fight again CSE and supporting victims and their families who are subjected to child sexual exploitation. But they cannot succeed without the support of communities.
Richard Strachan, Chair of Warrington Safeguarding Children Board said “The board is committed to help raising awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and supporting professionals in tackling CSE. We will continue to work together in identifying and responding effectively to Child Sexual Exploitation. So that those children and young people experiencing, or at risk of CSE, are better supported and protected, and those exploiting our children are held to account for their actions”.
“We are determined to remain vigilant and responsive, so welcome the opportunity to support and promote National CSE Awareness Day.”
