THE first ever National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day which aims to highlight the issues surrounding child sexual exploitation (CSE); encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children developing inappropriate relationships with other children.

The online campaign, run by national group NWG Network, asks people to write a personal pledge on their hands to show support for the Helping Hands campaign. A photo is then posted on social media using #HelpingHands to help raise awareness of CSE.

To support this day the Essex Children in Care Council (CICC) have launched a video online entitled ‘I didn’t know’ with members of the CICC describing in different ways what they realised they didn’t know about CSE following an information session.

Cllr Dick Madden, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Children said: “We are committed to the fight against CSE and supporting victims and their families who are subjected to child sexual exploitation. Members of the Corporate Parenting Panel at Essex County Council have supported this campaign by posting their pledges on social media.”

“The National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day gives us the opportunity to raise awareness among Essex residents and highlights that CSE can and does happen in all parts of our county. CSE is not restricted to urban areas such as large towns and cities but does in fact happen in rural areas such as villages and coastal areas.”

Simon Hart, Independent Chair Essex Safeguarding Children Board said: “Child Sexual Exploitation is a key priority for the Essex Safeguarding Children Board, and we fully support the national awareness day. We are working closely with our CSE champions to increase knowledge and ensure professionals know how to look out for the signs of CSE and how to report abuse.”