Families urged to take action and keep young people safe

A week of action is being launched in Trafford to make families and the community aware of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).

Parent packs, online information and outreach workers speaking to young people on the streets are just some of the initiatives being launched to inform residents about CSE - child abuse involving someone taking advantage of a young person sexually for their own benefit.

The CSE Week of Action in Trafford runs from Monday, June 18, and is part of the Greater Manchester-wide ‘It’s Not Okay’ campaign.

‘It’s Not Okay’ is being promoted in the borough by the Trafford Strategic Safeguarding Board (TSSB), an organisation made-up of partners including the Council, Greater Manchester Police and the NHS, which works to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and adults at risk.  

Trafford will also be marking the event with an information stall at Stretford Mall on June 21 and 23 and Gorse Hill Studios Youth Theatre Sound and Vision will be performing LINES, a gritty, multi-media play about a 13-year-old boy who runs away from his care home.

Cllr Jane Baugh, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “This week of action gives us the opportunity to highlight this problem and work together with families and the community to reduce the risk of it happening in our borough.”

Experts say no victim of exploitation will look or behave in the same way. Tell-tale signs can include absence from school, a change in behaviour, unexplained expensive new possessions and a change in physical appearance. Abusers often pretend to be a friend or partner, who may use coercion and control to groom, threaten or bribe their victims.

The TSSB will be promoting the week of action with its partner organisations, including schools and colleges, who will be encouraged to distribute the parent pack.

Anyone wanting more information about the week of action, or who wants to download an information pack can visit www.tscb.co.uk, follow @traffordsafe on Twitter - look out for the hashtag #itsnotokay – and check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/traffordsafe.

To book tickets for the performance of LINES at Gorse Hill Studios, Cavendish Road, M32 0PS, on Wednesday, June 20, call 0161 866 8356. People are being asked to “pay what they can” for tickets.

Posted on Tuesday 12th June 2018