A week-long campaign is underway to get parents and carers in Jersey talking to their children about sexual abuse.
There were 74 reported cases of sexual offences against children in the island last year. That is a rise of 6%.
In the UK, offences against 4-8 year olds rose by 13% last year, with some 6,613 recorded cases.
The NSPCC hopes PANTS Week, featuring animated dinosaur Pantosaurus, can encourage age-appropriate conversations about how to stay safe.
Messages will be promoted in schools, with leaflets encouraging people to access the NSPCC website where children can sing along to with Pantosaurus and download the app.
“Conversations with children about learning how to stay safe from sexual abuse should be as normal as teaching them to cross the road. PANTS week is a great chance to highlight how parents and professionals can speak with children about sexual abuse in an age-appropriate way and Pantosaurus helps us to do this. We want children to grow up safe from sexual abuse in their online and offline worlds and having these important conversations with them at an early age can help protect children from abuse.” – Jacky Moon, Service Centre Manager at NSPCC Jersey.
The PANTS rule
Privates are private
Always remember your body belongs to you
No means no
Talk about secrets that upset you
Speak up – someone can help.
Pantosaurus will be on King Street at 2pm on Saturday – inviting children to join him doing the PANTS dance.
*Anyone concerned about a child’s safety should call the 24/7 Helpline 0808 800 5000 for advice and support. It is free to call from Jersey and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Any child with a concern or worry can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk
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