A CHILDREN’S charity wants to teach all Warwickshire kids how to recognise and report abuse.
The NSPCC delivered assemblies and workshops to over 14,600 pupils at 62 primary schools around the county in the last school year as part of its free Speak Out Stay Safe programme.
And with at least two children in the average primary school class suffering abuse or neglect, the charity is urging more schools to sign-up as soon as possible.
Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies and workshops ensure children know how to report concerns or abuse, and have the vocabulary and confidence to do so.
Mum Caroline’s seven year old son Luke – not their real names – was sexually abused by a 13-year-old friend of the family when staying at his dad’s house.
She said: “If it hadn’t been for the Speak Out Stay Safe assembly, I honestly think the abuse would still be happening. It gave my son the words to articulate what had happened to him and to be able to say it was not ok.”
Nick Hanslip, NSPCC Schools Service Manager in the West Midlands, said: “We want to encourage any schools that have not received a visit from us to sign up, so that we can empower as many children as possible to recognise and report any worries they have.”
The programme is for pupils aged five to 11 years old, with a tailored programme of workshops available for Special Schools.
Visit www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout to request an NSPCC school visit.
The NSPCC relies on volunteers to deliver Speak Out Stay Safe at schools across the region. Call 0121 227 7577, email [email protected] or visit www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do for more information.