Businesses and voluntary groups in Exeter are being invited to a free event which will help them to identify the signs of child exploitation.
The event, organised by Exeter’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Safer Exeter, will be held at Exeter City’s St James Park on Wednesday 3 July. (10am)
Across the country, young people are manipulated, sexually abused, forced to launder money and deal drugs. The exploitation isn’t obvious but it happens everywhere including Exeter.
Anyone who works in hospitality, retail, leisure, taxi or voluntary sector may unknowingly come across young people who are being exploited and this event will help them to spot the signs and how to report it.
Guest speaker at the event will be Jackie Thomas, prevention officer from the Children’s Society, and she will be joined by a representative of Devon and Cornwall Police.
David Bartram, Deputy Chair of Safer Exeter, said: “If you suspect a child might be harmed you need to know what to do. So it will help to be able to recognise those who are most vulnerable to exploitation in all its forms.
“Keeping children safe is a role for everyone – not just our public services
“Exploitation can seriously affect a business or area of work so this event will help those who attend to identify those at risk of being exploited and how to report it.
“Criminals expect people not to report what they see and so, often children that are being exploited are hidden in plain sight.
“We hope this event will give those who attend the confidence to come forward and prevent more children becoming victims.”
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