Think, Spot and Speak Out About Child Exploitation

Residents of South Tyneside are being encouraged to lend a hand to support a national campaign aimed at putting an end to child exploitation.

In the run-up to National Child Exploitation Awareness Day next Monday (18 March), people are being encouraged to support the Think, Spot and Speak out campaign by writing a message on their hands and posting it on social media with the hashtag #HelpingHands, #ThinkTwiceThinkAbuse and #CEADay24.   

The day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation. It seeks to encourage everyone to 'think twice and think abuse' and adopt a zero tolerance approach to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children and children developing inappropriate relationships with other children, both face-to-face and online.

People are also encouraged to start a conversation on the issue by wearing something burgundy - the campaign's colour. South Shields Town Hall will be bathed in a red hue in support of the campaign next Monday evening.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children and Families' Social Care, said: "We are seeing an increase in the number of children and adults who are becoming victims of exploitation which includes abuse such as sexual abuse, criminal abuse, slavery, trafficking and, most recently, financial abuse. All these forms of abuse can take place in person or online.

"This is not a crime that the police can tackle on their own. We all need to take responsibility to keep everyone safe and spot any signs of exploitation."

Anyone who feels a child is at risk of harm should contact Children and Families' Social Care on 0191 424 5010 Monday to Thursday between 8.30am and 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Outside of these hours people should call 0191 456 2093. Anyone who feels a child is in immediate danger should call the police on 999.