Lend a Helping Hand to Campaign to End Child Exploitation

People in South Tyneside are being encouraged to lend a hand to support a national campaign aimed at putting an end to child exploitation

In the run up to National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, this Friday (18 March), people are being encouraged to support the Helping Hands campaign by writing a message on their hands and posting it on social media with the message #HelpingHands and #CEADay22

The National Child Exploitation Awareness Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation. It seeks to encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance approach to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children. Child exploitation is when an abuser takes advantage of a young person for their own personal gain either face to face or online. It can happen to anyone, boy or girl, and can take many forms, including sexual exploitation or forcing the child to commit a crime.

The Council is backing the campaign in line with its priority of supporting families and young people in need.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "It is vital that we all work together to put an end to child exploitation. This abhorrent crime is not one that either the police or the Council can tackle alone. We need the public to be our eyes and ears and would encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse."

To further raise awareness of the issue South Shields Town Hall will be lit up in a burgundy colour and people are asked to wear something burgundy in support of the cause.