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Essex-wide campaign aims to raise awareness of online child exploitation

21st August 2020
Posted by Johnny Jenkins

An Essex-wide campaign focusing on preventing the exploitation of children online is due to launch on Monday 24 August. 

Online exploitation has been a growing concern for several years, with the internet and social media becoming so integral to daily lives. For children, the internet has become the new classroom and playground and this has been amplified during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Sadly, there are people there that take advantage of this. Internationally, there has been an increase in incidences and there is a prediction that there could be an increase in referrals locally when children have access to safe adults to confide in when back at school in September.

That is why the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB), alongside Southend and Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnerships, are re-launching their Child Exploitation Did You Know Campaign, working with local authorities and organisations including The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s and The 2 Johns to raise awareness of the exploitation risks that an increased time on the internet can pose.

The campaign will run 24 – 30 August and will cover topics such as online gaming, youth produced sexual images and online bullying. It aims to challenge the perception that the victim is to blame; instead creating a supportive network around the child in which they feel able to speak openly about concerns they may have. 

The campaign will encourage parents to take an active interest in their child’s online world, give them the confidence to speak openly about the dangers, and the knowledge of what to do is something isn’t right. 

David Archibald, ESCB Independent Chair/Facilitator on behalf of the Statutory Partners said: 

“Going online has become a way of life, with more of us using social media and mobile apps to communicate. For children, it has replaced meeting up with friends. 

“Online exploitation is a horrific crime and can have a significant impact on the lives of the individuals, families and communities involved.

“I am pleased that we are re-launching the Parents, Did You Know Campaign along with our partners to support parents to recognise the signs and talk to their children about the risks of online exploitation.

“Together we can support children and parents to be aware of the dangers and know there is someone to talk to if they’re concerned.”

The 2 Johns, E-Safety Training said:

“Throughout lockdown our discussions with parents have highlighted an increasing number of difficult situations arising online that the parents have felt unable to deal with without support. We hope that through our involvement in this project we will be able to get our message out to more people and give them more confidence to deal with issues as they arise. 

Kerry Clancy-Horner, The Children’s Society’s Head of Service for London & East of England, said:

“No child or young person should have to suffer the ordeal of being exploited and we are pleased to be participating in this important campaign.

“Even before the pandemic, online grooming had been an increasing issue and it is worrying although not surprising that this seems to have grown, with perpetrators targeting children spending more time online due to lockdown.

“It’s absolutely vital that as well as young people themselves, parents, carers and professionals understand the risks and early warning signs so that they can offer children and young people timely support and know where to turn for help to keep them safe from harm.”

The Essex Safeguarding Children Board website will have resources for professionals and those working with families to enable them to fully support children and parents. www.escb.co.uk/onlineexploitation