PARENTS across Worcestershire are being asked how much they think their children would know about child exploitation.
The Get Safe partnership turned to the power of theatre to raise awareness of the issue at the recent launch of GET THERE.
The star of the launch show was a performance from AlterEgo Theatre Company to highlight the signs and risks of exploitation.
The drama was hard-hitting and covered topics including drug trafficking, criminal and sexual exploitation and explaining to young people about the methods perpetrators might use to engage and then exploit young people.
On the VIP guest list for the performance, alongside college students, were school pupils and the youth groups which helped in the development of GET THERE – with a total of 152 young people attending throughout the day.
On average, young people rated their understanding of exploitation before the session as a 3.5 out of 5 which increased to a 4.5 out of 5 by the end of the session.
Young people had the chance to ask questions anonymously and answer polls about how confident they felt spotting the signs of exploitation and who they would tell if they were worried about themselves or a friend.
GET THERE was launched to young people at three events held at HOW College’s Worcester campus.
The partnership has worked with youth groups and community services which work with young people over 16 across Worcestershire to develop a specific response to tackling Child Criminal exploitation.
It includes a practitioners’ guide and website for young people.
From the work carried out with young people in Worcestershire Children First, staff found additional concerns and vulnerabilities which come into play when a young person turns 16 and move into a more independent phase in their life. This is why the specifically targeted approach called GET THERE was created.
The GET THERE guidance gives local practitioners the practical guidance and tools to support young people aged 16 and over through to adulthood and independence.
It builds safety and support in communities and reduces the risk of exploitation.
The Worcestershire GET SAFE partnership is committed to tackling Child Criminal exploitation and the many forms of harm and abuse it takes.
