Residents in Northumberland are being reminded of how to spot the signs this National Child Exploitation Awareness Day – see attached flyer.
The awareness day which takes place on Friday 18 March 2022 aims to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation; encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero-tolerance policy to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children; or children exploiting and abusing their peers.
Parents and carers may find it difficult to differentiate between what is ordinary teenage behaviour and what is a risk of or involvement in exploitation but there are some signs that may signify that children or young people are being groomed for exploitation or actually being exploited.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, so it is important to learn how to Spot the Signs:
- Change in friends
- Change in appearance
- Missing day or night
- Going to new places
- Spending more time online
- Unexplained injuries
- Coping mechanisms; self-harm, alcohol or drugs
- New unexplained items
Find out more about how you can help a child or young person you are concerned about at https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Children/Safeguarding.aspx