'Speak out. Stay safe'

Tuesday 15 October 2019

The NSPCC is visiting Guernsey and Alderney this week, teaching children how to protect themselves from abuse.

The charity's Schools Service is giving interactive workshops and assemblies across the islands, focusing on the different types of abuse and how to identify a trusted adult.

La Hougette, Ladies' College, Notre Dame, Castel and St Anne's school are taking part in the sessions, which are offered free of charge to all primary schools.

The students will learn about the five types of abuse; neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and bullying. They will also be taught the Childline number with an interactive song and find out how the service can support them at any time.

Pictured: Image of 'Speak out. Stay safe' session from NSPCC website.

Area Co-ordinator for the NSPCC's Schools Service, Michelle Green, is visiting along with the programme mascot, Buddy.

"We use Buddy to help the children engage in the assemblies and workshops, which means we can tackle what could otherwise be a difficult subject in a very age-appropriate way," she said. "It helps children feel confident that they always have someone they can turn to if they have a worry or concern.

"It's really important to be able to deliver our 'Speak out. Stay safe' programme to children in all communities, because abuse does not discriminate.

"We know that on average two children in every classroom have experienced some form of abuse. Most often, abuse takes place behind closed doors by someone known to the child, or online."

Children in years five and six will take part in additional workshops, which go into more detail, looking at 'good' and 'bad' secrets as well as a range of different scenarios.

More information is available on the NSPCC's website.

Pictured top: File image.