NEIGHBOURS and professionals in the West Midlands are being urged to look out for signs a child may be being abused at home amid fears that vulnerable children are hidden from view during the lockdown.
The Children’s Society and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) are working together to raise awareness among professionals – including postal workers, delivery drivers and plumbers – who are visiting people’s homes and may be able to spot signs of abuse.
Reports of child abuse in the West Midlands have risen by a third to an average of 900 per month since 2017.
The new national campaign comes as most pupils face an extended summer break, with schools not set to fully reopen until September.
The campaign posters, designed by The Children’s Society’s national exploitation prevention programme, urge people to ‘Know, Look, Act’.
They will be displayed by police forces, supermarkets, restaurants, foodbanks, job centres, Covid testing centres, transport operators, NHS 111 and social workers, youth workers, health visitors and midwives.
The Children’s Society fears abuse, including child sexual abuse, may have been going undetected during the Covid-19 crisis because children are spending more time at home, where they are less visible to professionals like teachers and social workers and to the public.
The charity also has concerns that children may be being exploited in other people’s homes – for instance, by being groomed by organised criminals to deal drugs from dangerous ‘trap houses’ in county lines operations.
Its campaign urges neighbours and key workers visiting homes to look out for signs a child could be at risk.
James Simmonds-Read, national prevention programme manager at The Children’s Society, said: “It’s a real worry that horrific child abuse and exploitation, which might be picked up on quickly in ordinary times, could be going under the radar right now.
“We can all play a vital role in protecting vulnerable children, which is why we are urging anyone with concerns – be it a pizza delivery driver, gas engineer or a worried neighbour – to take responsibility and report them.
“If something doesn’t feel right, it might not be and by speaking out you could help a child escape a really dangerous, traumatic situation.”
Detective Superintendent Sean Phillips from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit said: “Reports of child abuse in the West Midlands have increased by around a third since 2017 to an average of 900 offences per month.
“It is a significant challenge but we have a dedicated Child Abuse Unit including 220 specially-trained officers and staff to manage that demand.
“These teams contribute to safeguarding hubs across the region where partners come together to share intelligence on children who could potentially be at risk. That work has not stopped during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“We have been working with partners to develop safeguarding strategies for any families and children considered at risk. Those interventions have included regular contact either via phone or online, in some circumstances home visits, and trying to arrange the safe return to school for at-risk children.”
The campaign is urging people to report any concerns rather than attempting to intervene themselves.
Concerns can be reported to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Call children’s charity the NSPCC on 0808 800 500 for advice or guidance.
Visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk for more information, or to download the campaign poster.
