Teenagers from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being warned about the risks of being invited to parties where they could be sexually exploited or ‘groomed’.
Growing numbers of young people across the country are being invited to parties through social media with the promise of free drinks, gifts, lifts or even drugs. Once there, young people are far more vulnerable to being sexually exploited by force or because they may feel they have to take part in some sort of sexual activity in return.
As part of the new ‘Know About CSE’ campaign, the ‘Party Animal’ initiative aims to send the message to young people that nothing in life comes for free. And, by accepting free gifts or going to parties with people they don’t know, young people are putting themselves at risk.
[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]John Wood, Joint Chair of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Children Safeguarding Board said: “Tackling child sexual exploitation and ‘grooming’ remains a priority for us and we continue to work closely with all our partner agencies to keep children safe.
“This is an issue we are increasingly worried about and our message to young people is very simple. If someone that you don’t really know very well is inviting you to a party, offering free lifts, alcohol, drugs, etc, then it’s probably too good to be true. It’s very likely they are trying to ‘groom’ you.
“If you have any doubts at all, or don’t know the person whose party it is then don’t go. For parents, if your child is going to a house party, even if they are going with a friend, try to encourage them to take precautions such as making sure that mobile phones are fully charged and have credit, and that they have enough money to get home.”[/box]
Mike Lawrence, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Community Safety added: “This is all part of our work to help young people to act safely and understand when exploitation is taking place.
“To prevent children being exploited we of course must get the wider public and parents to recognise the warning signs, but it’s also about prevention – and that’s about getting young people to understand how grooming starts, and how a healthy relationship isn’t about feeling that you have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. I’m delighted that schools across the county and city are helping to spread the ‘Party Animal’ message.”
The campaign is being run by the partners of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Safeguarding Boards, including Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Police, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, health organisations and schools.
[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]More information to support parents, young people, businesses and professionals to recognise and prevent sexual exploitation is available on the new website at www.knowaboutcse.co.uk
Anyone who suspects a child is at immediate harm from sexual exploitation should call 999. Anyone with any concerns about a child should report it, even if they’re not sure, to Staffordshire Police on 101, First Response on 0800 1313 126 if the child is in Staffordshire or the Safeguarding and Referral Team on 01782 235100 if the child is in Stoke-on-Trent.[/box]
