New NSPCC campaign calls on Staffordshire people to Be the FULL STOP against child cruelty
| Published: 16th October 2007 19:54 |
A new campaign from the NSPCC encouraging individuals to mobilise and play their part in ending cruelty with a ‘click' breaks in Staffordshire today (Monday 15 October).
The multi-platform campaign is aimed at demonstrating how individual actions can, and do, contribute to ending abuse and calls on the public to join in taking action against child abuse. The campaign will encourage people to visit www.bethefullstop.com website to find out more and get involved in ending child cruelty.
Visitors to The Guild Hall shopping centre in Staffordshire can log on to bethefullstop.com using the high-tech Infobox. NSPCC staff will also be at the centre giving away free posters and parenting advice magazines on Friday 19 October.
Once on the site, people can commit to a number of ‘deeds' which include signing a petition, joining a local campaign or making a donation. People can also obtain information on how they can help end cruelty to children as individuals, with a group or as part of an organisation.
Sixty, thirty and ten second TV ads will run during the four-week campaign. In the 60 second spot, a young girl is seen on her journey home from school. She spends the journey in an escapist fantasy world where she can make things happen with a ‘click'.
The NSPCC says it cannot end cruelty to children by itself and works with others to help local children and families. Be the FULL STOP is the public's opportunity to play a role in putting an end to child abuse.
Police forces in England and Wales recorded almost 5,000 cases of cruelty or neglect of children last year (06/07). 38 of these were in Staffordshire.* The NSPCC says that as these figures are only the cases that have been reported, they can only ever give an indication of the true extent of child cruelty and neglect.
The NSPCC has four teams working in Staffordshire. Staffordshire CARS provides advice, information, advocacy and representation to children and young people growing up in care and the North Staffordshire Therapeutic Service operates a therapeutic service to children and young people who have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse, child sexual exploitation or domestic violence.
The Staffordshire Sexually Harmful Behaviour Service provides consulation, advice and treatment work with young people and their families where sexually harmful behaviour has been identified as an issue.
The Midlands Independent Enquiry and Assessment Service is a child protection project which works in partnership with other agencies, primarily when independence is needed in child protection enquiries and assessments.
Carloline Kibble, NSPCC children's services manager, said: "It is vital we all play a part in ending child abuse. There are very simple steps we can all take, whether as individuals or collectively. The campaign this autumn will demonstrate how our individual actions can, and do contribute to ending cruelty to children."
The NSPCC has suggested a range of simple actions that people can take to BE the FULL STOP - they include:
- Wearing a FULL STOP badge
- Getting involved in a local campaign
- Joining a fundraising group
- Learning how to recognise the signs of abuse
- Volunteering for ChildLine or another NSPCC service
- Donating £2 a month
- Reading an issue of Your Family, a free parenting magazine
Individuals or organisations can also help the NSPCC spread the message about ending cruelty to children by displaying a new poster that has been created for the autumn campaign in venues like doctors' surgeries, schools, their workplaces and shops.
The poster can be downloaded from www.bethefullstop.com and by visiting the local campaigning deed. Copies can also be ordered by filling out a brief order form on the bethefullstop.com site.
Ten copies can be obtained of charge. The poster includes information about NSPCC helplines and so could help provide contact information to someone who has concerns about a child's well-being, or to a child experiencing abuse themselves.
Mary Marsh, NSPCC director and chief executive, said: "Child abuse is an all too sad reality for many children in every community. It really is a local issue that we all need to urgently address. We can each play our part in ending this abuse, whether as individuals, with a group or as part of some organisations.
"Together we can all make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people. There are simple steps we can all be taking to Be the FULL STOP and make the difference towards ending abuse in the lives of children and young people."
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