Georgina Middleton 25 March 2022

Child Sexual Exploitation: Why awareness days matter

Child Sexual Exploitation: Why awareness days matter image

This decade has proved extraordinarily challenging; it’s completely understandable to want to switch off the news and focus on your friends and family instead.

Last month’s report from this Inquiry, Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks, was a difficult and painful read. But as last week marked Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day, it’s important to remember why these reports are written, and why awareness days such as these exist.

The Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks report revealed the shocking extent of child sexual exploitation in England and Wales. It found that there appeared to be a flawed assumption that child sexual exploitation was decreasing, when in reality it has become more of a hidden problem, increasingly underreported and linked to other forms of criminal behaviour such as county lines.

Those people in local authorities, institutions and organisations who have let down children need to be motivated to just do better. The extent of the problem needs to be assessed, and if the institution or organisation doesn’t have the tools to properly assess, then that itself needs to be addressed.

Those with a duty of care to children must be properly educated and trained in the safeguarding procedures. Those children still at risk need to be helped, and those who have been abused or exploited need to be heard and supported. The Inquiry’s reports, and awareness days like these, are necessary for all of this to happen, but they’re not the only reason they are important.

Last week’s awareness day, and the Inquiry’s 19 investigation reports, show there is a powerful need to open up the public conversation about child sexual abuse. When an issue is raised, discussed and held in our collective consciousness, something that can appear impossible to tackle - something too endemic, too horrifying, too difficult to think about - reveals itself to be something we have the courage and the will to confront.

Awareness days are a symbol of hope - hope that if we work together toward a common purpose, tomorrow might be a better day.

Georgina Middleton is director of communications and engagement at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner