NSPCC Press Releases
| Published: 15th May 2007 11:05 |
NSPCC wants children to be ‘In the Know' about abuse
A new educational booklet to help children keep themselves safe is being offered to 238 schools in Somerset as part of the NSPCC's Don't Hide It campaign.
In the Know is aimed at children aged 8 to 11 and uses colourful illustrations, quizzes and cartoon strips to help tackle the difficult subject of child abuse.
NSPCC children's participation officer Serena de Cordova said: "We consulted children across eight separate focus groups to develop a product which was just right for young people. We used exercises, role-plays and storyboards to find out what young people felt was important to include and how best to make it accessible to 8 to 11-year-olds."
One in five children counselled by ChildLine last year who gave their age were between eight and 11 years old - more than 25,000 young people. Of these, 38 per cent called about bullying and 20 per cent called because they were suffering abuse or neglect.
The booklet reinforces the NSPCC's Don't Hide It messages, encouraging children to find someone to turn to if they are experiencing violence or abuse. It also provides information about sources of support, including helpline numbers. Sample copies of the booklet are being circulated to schools across the UK with the opportunity to order free class sets as needed.
Don't Hide It 2007 is a youth-focused campaign which aims to empower young people to speak out if they are experiencing violence or abuse.
It urges children worried about abuse to phone ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit a special website www.donthideit.com for more advice and information. The NSPCC is also urging young people to speak to someone they trust - a parent, carer, relative, friend, teacher or friend's parent.
Don't Hide It is part of the NSPCC's FULL STOP Campaign to end cruelty to children. It will use Hip Hop, heavy rock and other aspects of youth culture to reach millions of 11-16 year-olds through teen magazines, viral ads, booklets and radio programmes. This will be supported by radio and online promotional support.
Last year over one million children contacted the NSPCC after it encouraged them to speak out sexual abuse.
Main switchboard: 0116 276 9999, direct line: 0116 274 7884, fax: 0116 274 7870, email: tarafawcett@nspcc.org.uk
Visit http://www.donthideit.com to find out more about the NSPCC's Don't Hide It campaign.
Booklets can be ordered from NSPCC publications department on 020 7825 7422 or email publications@nspcc.org.uk
The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. It seeks to achieve cultural, social and political change - influencing legislation, policy, practice, attitudes and behaviours and delivering services for the benefit of children and young people. Visit www.nspcc.org.uk for more information.
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NSPCC urges children to stay safe online and speak out about abuse
posed by model
The NSPCC will encourage young people using online social networking sites to speak out about child abuse as part of its new Don't Hide It initiative launched on Monday.
More than one million children were drawn to last year's Don't Hide It campaign on sexual abuse through social networking sites. Many left moving messages of support and sent personal messages to their friends. Some were spurred to open up about their own problems online.
In a new online poll for the charity, one in two children said they used social networking sites to share problems and get advice from people of their own age.
The poll shows how children are using social networking sites to find support when ‘having a tough time' and to support a friend having difficulties. However, around half had also suffered an ‘unwanted experience' while online.
Over 2000 children, mostly aged between 11 and 16, responded to the poll, which was posted on the Habbo.co.uk website. Habbo is one of many online communities which promote safer behaviour among its users.
Don't Hide It this year will encourage children to speak out on all forms of abuse. It will feature on a number of social networking and online sites from Monday, including Habbo, Bebo, MyKindaPlace, Piczo, MSN and AOL Teens.
NSPCC director and chief executive Dame Mary Marsh says: "Children face real threats on the internet such as sexual grooming, cyber-bullying, exposure to violent, pornographic and other unsuitable material and being lured into dangerous real-world situations. Online social networking is part of millions of children's lives. We must recognise and respond to this reality by helping them be safer online as well as helping them speak out about abuse at the same time.
"Children and young people often turn first to their own friends and people of their own age. They trust them to understand what they are going through. And they are often very supportive of each other. It takes great courage for an abused child to speak out. For many, taking the first step is the hardest part of the journey in getting help."
This year's Don't Hide It will urge children worried about abuse to phone ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit a special website www.donthideit.com for more advice and information. The NSPCC is also urging young people to speak to someone they trust - a parent, carer, relative, friend, teacher or friend's parent.
Don't Hide It is part of the NSPCC's FULL STOP Campaign to end cruelty to children. It will use Hip Hop, heavy rock and other aspects of youth culture to reach millions of 11-16 year-olds through teen magazines, viral ads, booklets and radio programmes. This will be supported by radio and online promotional support.
The NSPCC is working in partnership with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and with social networking sites and agencies, including the police, to improve internet safety for young people.
Children and young people will find safe surfing tips on www.donthideit.com.
• Never use your real name in chat rooms - pick a special online nickname.
• Don't reveal any personal details about yourself or your family.
• Never send provocative pictures or descriptions about yourself.
• Remember people might not be who they say they are.
• Do not respond to nasty or rude messages.
• Be very careful before arranging to meet someone. If you do decide to see them, then tell a trusted adult exactly what you are doing.
• Be careful with e-mail attachments/links as they may contain nasty images.
• Avoid sites meant for adults.
Parents can also help by familiarising themselves with sites their children are using and to tell CEOP immediately (www.ceop.gov.uk) if they suspect a sexual predator is talking online to a child. The NSPCC is calling for the pre-installation of internet safety software on all new PCs.
