Trusted volunteers across Cleveland will be trained to identify and respond to signs of child exploitation thanks to a new scheme.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland (PCC) Matt Storey, with the support of the Tees Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) Partnership, recently commissioned national children’s charity Ivison Trust to deliver a new Community Guardians Programme.
The initiative will give community members the appropriate tools and training to recognise exploitation of young people, aiming to make community spaces safer.
The volunteers will play a crucial role in assisting agencies to respond to sexual, criminal and online exploitation by creating safe environments. They will act as the eyes and ears for young people and raise any concerns.
It’s hoped the new programme will not only help to tackle all forms of child exploitation, but will address related issues such as youth violence, radicalisation and being missing from home, care or education.
The scheme will be rolled out across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar and Cleveland to ensure a consistent approach throughout Cleveland.
Matt invested £70,000 in the first year of the project, although it is hoped it will run for up to four years.
He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for everyday people to create safer futures for children while helping to support the reduction of crime across Cleveland.
“I encourage those with good connections in their local communities, who can see and hear what is happening on the ground to become involved.
“Whether you are a shop worker, business owner, street cleaner or group leader; this is a chance to support at-risk young people and help make them more resistant to exploitation.”
Ivison Trust is a national charity working to keep children safe from exploitation by supporting parents, disrupting exploiters and working in partnership with police and family services.
Lindsay Dalton, Ivison Trust CEO said: “We are so proud to support the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver the Community Guardians Programme.
“Sadly, children are being abused and exploited across Cleveland, and we are calling on members of the community to come forward and work with us in protecting the most vulnerable. Every child deserves to live a life free from harm, and only by standing together with compassion and vigilance can we give children the protection they deserve.
“We are eager to hear from people who are well-connected in their local areas, serving as trusted community guardians to strengthen the safety net around vulnerable children and help us build resilient networks of support.”
Jane Young, Independent Chair of the HOTH Partnership, added: “Protecting children from harm is everyone’s responsibility. We should all play a part in safeguarding our children from harm, exploitation and abuse.
“We are really delighted to be working with the Ivison Trust to identify, train and support people and organisations in our communities to be curious about the lives, relationships and wellbeing of children – to make community spaces safer for children by creating safe, supportive environments.”
Click here for more information and to apply to become a Community Guardian