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West Midlands campaign to encourage young people to watch for signs of CSE among friends (15 August 2016)

Date: 15/08/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, West Midlands campaign to encourage young people to watch for signs of CSE among friends

Coventry City Council is encouraging young people to keep an eye on their friends and look out for signs of grooming and sexual exploitation, as part of a West Midlands digital media campaign.

Coventry’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services is supporting the campaign – and is also hoping that sex education can become compulsory in personal, social and health education in schools, so that children are more aware about the issues and can report child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Using the message “Do you know what your friend’s doing?” to highlight key warning signs, it is hoped the campaign will help boys and girls from all backgrounds and communities to identify concerns and get help.

Developed in consultation with children and young people, the campaign is being delivered primarily through popular gaming, entertainment and mobile messaging apps – as well as social media and online magazines – using a mix of animations and banners on digital platforms.

Motorists will also see a version of the campaign on a large, digital roadside screen at the junction of the M6 and M5 – and posters will feature at Birmingham’s New Street Station.

The council says it is the latest phase of the “See Me, Hear Me” campaign from West Midlands councils and West Midlands Police, to raise awareness of CSE.

The campaign will be running across the region throughout August.

Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for children and young people, Councillor Ed Ruane, said:

“This latest phase of the campaign is about raising awareness of CSE directly with children through social media.

“Following consultation with boys and girls, animations and banners have been developed that will pop up on a range of popular apps and sites.

“We want them to know the signs of sexual exploitation, so they can identify any concerns and get help.

“CSE is a hidden crime, which affects both boys and girls – by calling on them to look out for their friends, we can help keep young people safe.

“I would also urge children and young people to check out visit www.seeme-hearme.org.uk to find out more.

“These steps are really important – but I do also believe that compulsory sex education would make a big difference.

“Schools are currently required to make provision for PSHE education only from the age of 11 – and only in maintained schools, not academies. Most parents I speak to would support this, too.”

Chief executive of Solihull Council and regional lead for CSE, Nick Page, added:

“Child sexual exploitation is a horrendous crime – awareness is growing, but it’s crucial we reach the young people who may be targeted by perpetrators, as well as the perpetrators themselves.

“By delivering the campaign through popular gaming and apps – as well as social media and online magazines – we can directly give young people the knowledge they need to help them protect themselves and their friends.”

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