17 March 2022
Jersey will join the UK to unite against Child Exploitation tomorrow (Friday 18 March) to encourage everyone to think, spot, and speak out against abuse.
Jersey's Government will join a national campaign to raise awareness by taking part in the #helpinghands pledge campaign.
National Child Exploitation Awareness Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation and adopt a zero tolerance approach to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.
Hundreds of secondary school children in Jersey are being educated this month on how to spot the signs of Child Exploitation.
The Jersey Youth Service are delivering assemblies in secondary schools for children and young people to help them understand and recognise the signs of Child Exploitation, and to know where they can go to get help and advice if they are worried about their own safety or that of others.
The Jersey Youth Service have already engaged with 250 Year 9 students and will continue this piece of work throughout March at secondary schools across the Island.
A stall with information about Child Exploitation will be available at Brook Street, St Helier, between 9am - 5pm tomorrow, and Pantosauras will be making an appearance between 2pm - 4pm.
Youth workers, Children's Social Care and the Police will be on the stall during the day. Staff from the Probation and After-CareService, Highlands College, Dewberry House and FNHC have all volunteered time to support the stall.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Scott Wickenden said: "It is important to emphasise that the safeguarding of children in Jersey is everybody's business. "Government departments, led by Children, Young People, Education and Skills, work in partnership with the Safeguarding Partnership Board, the States of Jersey and the Honorary Police, community organisations and others to raise awareness and improve interventions to prevent Child Expolitation in the first place and support those who are – nonetheless - victims of this type of crime in Jersey."
St Helier Community Officer, PC Richards, said: "Thankfully CE remains fairly low in Jersey, but the best form of prevention is education and we hope by increasing awareness that friends, parents, guardians, and professionals can be better placed to recognise warning signs of potential exploitation and where help and support is available."
Islanders can find more information, learn about what to look out for, and get guidance on how to help to protect their child in our Child Sexual Exploitation: A guide for Parents and Carers leaflet
Islanders who are worried about a child or young person, can speak with someone at the child's school, call the Jersey Police on + 44 (0) 1534 612612 or the Children and Families Hub on +44 (0) 1534 519000 or visit Children and Families Hub.
gov.je