17 April 2018
More than 200 professionals working with children in Jersey are due to attend an event on Friday as part of the launch of a new campaign that aims to protect children from sexual abuse.
Jersey Safeguarding Partnership Board and its partners across the States of Jersey are working together with the NSPCC on a joint local PANTS campaign and new Helpline.
The campaign, which was officially launched at a family event in Tamba Park on Friday, encourages parents, carers and professionals to have conversations with children about how to stay safe from sexual abuse in an age-appropriate way.
On Friday 20 April two events have been organised for all professionals working with children in Jersey. This will include a personal account, expert UK speakers in the field of CSA and further details on the PANTS and Helpline campaign.
The free event will be held at the Town Hall, St Helier, and there is a choice of two identical sessions from 9.00am – 12.00pm or 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
Jersey Safeguarding Partnership Board
Glenys Johnston, OBE, Independent chair of Jersey Safeguarding Partnership Board will open the event.
Mrs Johnston said: “It is fantastic to see so much support already for this significant campaign for Jersey. Hundreds of children and families attended the launch of the PANTS and Helpline campaign last Friday, in Tamba Park, with Pantosaurus spreading important messages to help keep children safe from abuse. Parents know it’s an important conversation to have but don’t always know how to go about it. We hope the child-friendly and catchy animation will act as a conversation starter helping parents to address the topic of sexual abuse without using frightening words. We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect. I am pleased to see so many professionals working with children have booked to attend this event on Friday.”
NSPCC speakers
Guests at the event will hear a personal experience from David Tait, an NSPCC Honorary trustee and one of the charity’s most inspiring fundraisers.
David suffered sexual abuse as a child and is determined to make the future better for children will be sharing his story and his belief in the importance of giving all children a voice said: “It was this suffering that helped push me to try to excel in whatever I do, to want to reach greater and greater achievements.”
Further speakers throughout the day include Anna Racher, NSPCC development and impact manager, who will discuss the impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of encouraging children to speak out.
Donald Findlater, child safeguarding consultant to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, will speak about understanding and preventing child sexual abuse.
Jersey's Children's Commissioner
And Deborah McMillan, Jersey Children’s Commissioner, Carla Malseed NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager and Louise Exton, head of the Helpline Development Project, are also due to speak at the event.
Book here - the event is free and open to any professional working with children.
gov.je