Southend-on-Sea says: “Together we can tackle child abuse”

March 4, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Southend-on-Sea says: “Together we can tackle child abuse”

Thursday 3rd March 2016

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) are supporting a national campaign to tackle child abuse and encourage local people to report any concerns.

The campaign is seeking to emphasise how we all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.

High profile advertising is being rolled out in 33 local authority areas in Outer London and the West Midlands and the council is supporting the programme locally too, through social media, the LSCB website and messages to staff.

Cllr Anne Jones, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, says: “The slogan for this campaign could not be more apt – together, we can tackle child abuse and I am delighted that we are supporting this campaign locally.

“All children have a right to be safe and should be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect, yet a third of people who suspect child abuse, do nothing.

“A number of people do not act on their suspicions because they are worried about being wrong. What we are saying is that you do not have to be absolutely certain about your suspicions; if you have a feeling that something’s not right, talk to our local children’s social care team who can look into it.

“In 2014/15, more than 400,000 children in England were supported nationally because someone noticed they needed help, but there will be many more cases where a child needed help but may not have got it because someone was too worried to speak up.”

If someone suspects a child is being neglected or abused, then please call 01702 215007 on weekdays between 08.45 and 17.30 (16.30 on Friday) or 0845 606 1212 outside of office hours and at weekends.

More information is available at www.safeguardingsouthend.co.uk.

How to spot the signs of child abuse and neglect

To spot the signs of child abuse or neglect, look for changes in:

- Appearance – such as frequent unexplained injuries, consistently poor hygiene, matted hair, unexplained gifts, or a parent regularly collecting children from school when drunk

- Behaviour - such as demanding or aggressive behaviour, frequent lateness or absence from school, avoiding their own family, misusing drugs or alcohol, or being constantly tired

- Communication – such as sexual or aggressive language, self-harming, becoming secretive and reluctant to share information or being overly obedient If you suspect child abuse or neglect

If you’re worried about a child or if you suspect child abuse or neglect, visit gov.uk/reportchildabuse to get the number for your local authority.

About “Together, we can tackle child abuse”

The “Together, we can tackle child abuse” campaign has been launched by the Department for Education with the support of local authorities and other partners. The aim of the campaign is to encourage members of the public to report instances of child abuse and neglect and overcome the barriers that stop people reporting. We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people. Together, we can tackle child abuse.