In a bid to get the conversation going about child exploitation and to encourage the wider public to spot the warning signs, Police are running an event this coming Saturday (18th March) to coincide with National Child Exploitation Awareness Day.
Teams from Isle of Wight Police will be at Newport library between 13:00 and 16:00. Joining them will be a number of agencies including the Youth Offending Team, Children’s Services, Network Ryde, the NHS, Community Action IOW and other community safety partners.
This is an opportunity for members of the public to chat to Police about child exploitation, raise any concerns they have, and in turn officers will be offering information about how to spot the signs that a young person is being exploited, and how to report this.
In addition to the event, officers will also be out on patrol in the Newport area speaking to young people to make them aware of exploitation, offering them advice and reassurance and making sure they know who to speak to if they’re worried about anything.
Exploitation can take many forms and can blight the lives of children and their families. Abusers use blame, shame and guilt to coerce children into criminal and sexual activity, and once under the control of criminals, children can find it very hard to reach out for help.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary want to expose those who abuse children in this way, and highlight the warning signs that parents, carers and teachers should be aware of so that they can intervene at an early stage.
The police and partners will not hesitate in doing everything they can to safeguard and support young people, while seeking to target adults who treat children as their property to fulfil their criminal activity.
Island is rife with swivel eyed kiddie fiddlers, you can spot them a mile off milling around the bus station.
And in the council chamber.