Staff support National Child Exploitation awareness campaign

South Essex College’s Safeguarding team showed their support for the National Child Exploitation campaign by organising information sessions.

The sessions were held across all campuses on Thursday 18 March where students and staff could create pledges to raise awareness of the warning signs and issues surrounding child exploitation.

Using the hashtag ‘Helping Hands’ the college listed the key signs towards recognising exploitative behaviour and who to contact to report concerns.

Each year, The National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day, aims to highlight the issues surrounding child sexual exploitation. Aiming to encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance approach to adults developing inappropriate relationships to young people under the age of 18.

Jane Belcher, Head of Safeguarding, said “Child Exploitation is an issue we all need to be aware of as we all play a part in protecting our young people. The Safeguarding team want to raise awareness of this issue so everyone can spot the signs that their friend or family member could be being exploited and how they can report any concerns.
“Safeguarding teams in colleges are very knowledgeable on this topic and can provide support and guidance to anyone. Supporting the NWG Network’s Child Exploitation Awareness Day is a great opportunity to share the signs and highlight what we can all do to combat this issue.”

To learn more about the Safeguarding team visit: https://www.southessex.ac.uk/services-and-support/safeguarding