Child Abuse Campaign
The Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership is supporting the government’s ongoing ‘Together, we can tackle child abuse’ campaign from the Department for Education
Definition of Child Abuse
Child abuse is any action by another person – adult or child – that causes significant harm to a child. It can be physical, sexual or emotional, but can just as often be about a lack of love, care and attention.
Also see information on: Child Criminal Exploitation Child Sexual Exploitation Harmful Sexual Behaviour
According to the DfE, a third of people who suspect child abuse do nothing – sometimes because they’re worried about being wrong.
All children have a right to be safe and should be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect. Anything you notice can help a child at risk. We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.
Last year nearly 400,000 children in England were supported because someone noticed they needed help. To help protect a child or young person look out for changes in their Appearance, Behaviour and Communication (A B C).
It’s up to all of us to keep children safe. Many people do not act because they’re worried about being wrong. You don’t have to be absolutely certain; if you’re concerned a child is being abused or their safety is at risk, speak to someone. Report it anonymously to your local council, NSPCC or the police who can provide the support a child may need.
Information is gathered from many sources, and your report forms part of a bigger picture. Reporting your concerns to your local council, NSPCC, or the police, could provide the missing piece of information that is needed to keep a child safe.
Child abuse. If you think it, report it.
We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect. However, research suggests that a third of people who suspect child abuse do not report their concerns.
The campaign – which is being rolled out across the country – recognises the fundamental right of all children and young people to live free from abuse and neglect.
You don’t have to be absolutely certain about your suspicions – if you have a feeling that something’s not right, talk to your local children’s social care team who can look into it. Information is usually gathered from many sources, and your report would form one part of a bigger picture.
One concern is that people are unclear how to spot the signs of child abuse and neglect and so an easy ABC is being promoted by the campaign to encourage people to report if they spot unusual changes in the following things:
Appearance – such as frequent unexplained injuries, consistently poor hygiene, matted hair, unexplained gifts, or a parent regularly collecting children from school when drunk.
Behaviour – such as demanding or aggressive behaviour, frequent lateness or absence from school, avoiding their own family, misusing drugs or alcohol, or being constantly tired.
Communication – such as sexual or aggressive language, self-harming, becoming secretive and reluctant to share information or being overly obedient.
Click below for an animation about the 4 types of child abuse:
Campaign Videos
In 2014/15, more than 400,000 children in England were supported because someone noticed they needed help. The campaign videos below show the role we all have in being vigilant and reporting abuse
1. Spot the Signs – Emotional Abuse
2. Spot the Signs – Neglect
3. Spot the Signs – Physical Abuse
4. Spot the Signs – Sexual Abuse
Reporting Child Abuse
If a child or young person is at risk of harm, abuse or neglect please report it to:
The Local Authority Integrated Front Door on 0151 606 2008
9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
Outside of these hours call 0151 677 6557
In an emergency always dial 999
Resources
A series of leaflets posters highlighting the campaign are also included below and we would encourage partner agencies to download and prominently display.
Reporting Abuse Campaign Contact Number
7 Minute Briefing Peer Sexual Abuse
Seen and Heard Campaign
In 2016 the Department for Health and the Children’s Society launched the Seen and Heard campaign to raise awareness of the signs of sexual abuse and exploitation. More information can be found here: https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/seen-heard-campaign/ or visit the campaign’s website:
http://www.seenandheard.org.uk/
Useful Links
Lucy Faithful Foundation – The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is the only UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse. The Foundation works closely with frontline workers and professionals such as police officers, social workers and education staff to ensure children are as safe as they can be.