The Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed a new campaign to highlight the dangers of child sexual exploitation (CSE).
In support of the national day on March 18, Dudley Council’s CSE team is working with groups from across the borough’s voluntary sector to deliver a roadshow to help keep children safe by profiling this crime.
The roadshow, which is being funded by the PCC, will promote the messages from the regional CSE awareness campaign ‘See Me, Hear Me’.
The campaign highlights this horrific hidden crime, which exploits young people and has a life-long impact on its victims.
The promotional stand will be in place from 12 to 4pm at the clock in Stourbridge on Monday 14 March, Brierley Hill town centre on Tuesday 15, Dudley’s market place on Wednesday 16, Sedgley town centre on Thursday 17 and in Halesowen town centre on Friday 18.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “I am most pleased to provide funds for such a worthwhile cause. Tackling CSE is one of my main priorities and I am determined to bring this hidden crime out of the shadows and tackle it head on.
“We should not be afraid to talk about difficult issues like this and awareness roadshows such as these are vital in the fight against this most heinous of crimes.”
Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for children’s services, said:”It’s great to see organisations across our borough joining together to tackle such a serious issue.
“Child sexual exploitation is the most heinous of crimes and it can affect any child from any background in any area.
“It involves perpetrators grooming their victims by gaining their trust before emotionally and sexually abusing them.
“Every parent, professional and young person should know the signs of CSE and this roadshow will hopefully raise awareness of these.”
There are a number of warning signs people may spot in a child or young person’s behaviour that may indicate something is wrong.
These include having friends who are older, persistently going missing, secretive relationships with unknown adults, truancy from school, chronic fatigue, constant calls on a mobile phone and the possession of money or new things.
Find out more about CSE by visiting www.seeme-hearme.org.uk or speak to Dudley’s CSE team on 01384 817777 or Barnardo’s on 0121 359 5333. Concerns about young people being sexually exploited can be reported to the police on 101 or in an emergency dial 999.
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