Multi-agency training event in Telford focuses on preventing child sexual abuse
A multi-agency training event designed to help professionals across Telford have a better understanding of child sexual abuse has been hailed a success.
80 multi-agency staff who work with children or families across Telford and the surrounding area completed the one day child protection training day on Tuesday, September 25. The event focused on how agencies can work together as well as with the public to protect children from sexual harm.
The Stop it Now! England event, hosted in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board was attended by representatives from a range of organisations which have contact with children or families or deal with child protection issues including probation staff, police officers, social workers and those working in child care, health and education.
Entitled ‘Preventing Child Sexual Abuse – Making it Everybody’s Business’, the event aimed to explore some of today’s key issues surrounding child sexual abuse and featured workshops conducted by specialist staff from child protection charity, the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. Subjects included:- female sexual abusers; how the internet is used as part of sexually abusive behaviour; working with non-offending partners and identifying where agencies and individuals own work can contribute to preventing abuse and protecting children. The event was opened by Detective Chief Inspector Ernie Locke of West Mercia Police.
85% of attendees stated they would be able to incorporate preventative initiatives and resources into their working practice. Comments from delegates include:- “An excellent and comprehensive training event”, “I feel I have more knowledge now and feel more confident in this area of work”, “Excellent, very informative day with interesting discussions”, “Very worthwhile training”.
Stop it Now! England, part of Stop it Now! UK and Ireland, aims to reduce the risk of children being sexually abused by working with parents, carers and communities. It also engages with statutory, private and voluntary sector organisations to raise awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse and promote the importance of prevention.
England Campaign Manager, Liz Maslen said: “Sexual abuse affects more children that we would like to think – around one in six – and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to prevent it from happening. We cannot leave tackling the problem to any one agency or organisation, which is why events like this are so important.
“There was a real interest from those attending the event in taking this work forward and we’ll be working with the Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board over the coming months to support further roll-out of prevention messages to parents in the Telford area.”
The Stop it Now! campaign operates a free phone confidential helpline – 0808 1000 900 – which people can call for advice and support in relation to child sexual abuse issues. Residents and parents from Telford and Wrekin and the surrounding areas can access further information on protecting children from sexual abuse from the Parents Protect! website – www.parentsprotect.co.uk.
