More than 170 children at 3 primary schools across the Isle of Wight have attended 1 of the NSPCC’s groundbreaking Speak Out. Stay Safe assemblies so far this year (2015-16).
The innovative programme uses child-friendly, interactive assemblies and workshops to teach pupils aged 4-11 about the different types of abuse, including sexual abuse, and who to turn to if they are ever worried.
Speak Out. Stay Safe was launched in 2011 after research showed the majority of children who contacted Childline were aged over 11 years of age but many said that the abuse had begun years before they picked up the phone.
Tens of thousands of children have so far attended the assemblies and workshops – including the 179 on the Isle of Wight this year – but the charity aims to reach every primary school across the UK.
The milestone reached on the Isle of Wight comes as the NSPCC is launching a 2-week campaign on preventing child sexual abuse to help parents and carers across the UK learn more about the issue and how to protect children and young people. The social media-led campaign (#ChildSexualAbuse) will explore simple steps everyone can take to prevent child sexual abuse by sharing the latest resources and advice via the NSPCC website.
Michelle Barry, Area Co-ordinator for the Isle of Wight, said:
“Right now, an average of 1 child in every 20 has suffered sexual abuse.
“Every child is affected differently. For many, it can ruin their childhood, derail development and have a long term impact, leading to problems that last into adulthood.
Article continues below this advertisement “But it doesn’t have to be this way. If we know how to recognise the risks and we know how to provide support when problems are first identified – together we can all take steps that can prevent child sexual abuse from happening in the first place.”
To arrange for the Speak Out. Stay Safe programme to visit your school, contact Michelle Barry, Area Co-ordinator for the Isle of Wight, at [email protected].
