The Eye Of Media

By Samantha Jones-

The Child Protection Team in Northanptonshire Police has launched a campaigned aimed at speaking up against child abuse, in order to mark National Child Protection Day in the Uk today.

The campaign aims to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation and calls on people to adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.

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DCI Johnny Campbell, (pictured)head of the Northamptonshire child protection team said: “Children are often too frightened to speak up themselves to either disclose offences or seek support.

“Often that’s due to stigma, prejudice or embarrassment or the fear that they will not be believed, so we need to be their voice.

“Abuse is often hidden in plain sight – the signs are there if we look for them.

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“We need everyone to be thinking about child exploitation, spotting it, and speaking out so we can protect victims, deter sexual predators, and stop those looking to coerce and lead children into a life of crime.

Campaigners have asked the public to look out for particular signs. They point out that one sign on its own does not mean someone has been exploited, but several signs together could be indicative of cause for concern. Things to look out for include changes in appearance. Clothing, personal hygiene, talking differently and tiredness.

They also include injuries, unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, marks. Reluctance to seek medical attention.

Campaigners have also called for people to look out for people who spend an increased amount of time online indulging in secretive activity, and a reluctance to come offline. Children who suddenly distance themselves from family, friends and join a new set of friends, including associating with older men and women are also signs to look out for.

Many people caught up in the web of child abuse are often very secretive, fearful or withdrawn, aggressive or distant from family.

Victims of child abuse often adopt coping mechanisms that include alcohol, drug use, self harm, and other things that help them deal with their ordeal. The campaigning group has expressed pride in its long term engagement in bringing its most depraved and predatory perpetrators to justice.

Representatives for Northamptonshire police told The Eye Of Media.Com that ”children need to be protected and given a voice by doing everything possible to bring to justice those who abuse the tender years of children and attempt to scar their entire future”.

Police officer Dc Wildman, who has worked in the team for three years and said: “Ask anyone who works or has worked in Child Protection, and they will tell you that it’s one of the most rewarding roles in policing.”

The team which deals with child sexual offences, and investigates allegations of neglect, physical and mental abuse, exploitation and the serious injury or death of a child, also plays a pivotal role with MASH (Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub), which brings together key professionals from social services, education, health and other agencies such as probation and domestic abuse organizations.

DC Wildman says: “Joining the Child Protection Team has been career changing for me. I came from a Response background and this role has helped open the door for me to become a detective.

“Don’t get me wrong, it has it’s stresses, but it’s also one of the most rewarding jobs I have done. I have no doubt that we change the lives of our most vulnerable people for the better and give them hope for the future.

“By just simply giving a child a voice, we’re helping to safeguard them from those who are, in some cases, meant to love and protect them. The littlest voices often speak the loudest volume.”

National Child Exploitation Awareness Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation, and encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against child abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children.

DC Wildman admitted that: “Some cases can be more difficult than others to investigate, but we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t get affected by them from time to time.

“However, we have a great team, which is very supportive. You’re never on your own as there is always someone there to listen and support you when the going gets tough.”

“From the moment of deployment through to the conclusion of an investigation, we take on the case from start to finish, providing a voice for the child victim at all times.”

“Depending on the circumstances, our officers attend post-mortems, adopt the family liaison role, liaise with partner agencies, conduct all interviews, build the case file and attend court.”

Not all of Child Protection cases lead to criminal investigations, the team also work with families who have sadly lost a child through a sudden death or because of a tragic accident.

They also play a pivotal role with MASH (Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub), which brings together key professionals from social services, education, health and other agencies such as probation and domestic abuse organizations.