Oct 23, 2019 | News, Opinion
By Tracy Harrison, chief executive of local specialist child sexual exploitation charity Safe and Sound
A key part of Safe and Sound’s work across Derbyshire is to support the families of children and young people who are victims of or at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE).
Parents and the wider family tell us that their overwhelming feelings when they discover their child has – or is still being – sexually exploited are anger, helplessness and guilt.
Our over-riding message to them from the outset is that, just as their son or daughter is not to blame for what has happened, they as parents are equally not to blame.
These children are targeted by individuals or groups of ruthless and manipulative criminals and a key tactic is to deliberately estrange children from their parents to exert greater control.
Children and young people often believe they are in a ‘loving’ relationship with the perpetrator. Others have been viciously threatened to keep quiet for fear of their own, or their family’s safety.
Therefore, these young victims are reluctant to talk to anyone – let alone their families – about what has or is still happening.
The first stage in supporting young victims is to help them recognise that they have been groomed and exploited – and families have a vital role in this process.
They need to make it clear to their child they can always come and talk to them – no matter what they have to say — and that the family will always be there for them.
One father whose daughter was a victim of CSE told me that the turning point for them was recognising that they had to start listening and believing her – rather than blaming her for running away and closing down communications with them.
Whilst it is obviously important to keep children safe, families also need to look after themselves during these difficult times.
A common aspect of CSE is that children go missing for increasing periods of time. This obviously causes huge levels of anxiety and sleep deprivation for the families waiting at home.
Sexually exploited children often find it difficult to control their anger and direct it at their family members through physical and verbal abuse.
Others avoid going to school, cut themselves off from their friends and often self-harm – all of which puts a huge strain on family life.
Coping and living with CSE can seriously affect mental and physical health so it is important to speak honestly with a GP about the stress they are under.
It’s also important to recognise that, even when the abuse stops, recovery does not happen overnight for the young person or the family so support from Safe and Sound is ongoing for as long as it is needed.
With greater awareness of CSE amongst professionals and wider communities alike – the issue of CSE is finally being recognised with the severity it deserves and it is vital that parents do not give up on the situation.
They need to make all the professionals who come into contact with their child – from teachers to social workers – aware of their concerns and be persistent even if they feel they are not being taken seriously.
Furthermore, families should keep rigorous diaries and notes of all incidences as these will be invaluable in any future court proceedings.
Throughout these dark times, it is vital that parents recognise that they are not alone and that there is help available.
Please visit the Safe and Sound website www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk for more information about support available to victims of sexual exploitation and their families and how to support the charity’s work to protect local children and young people.
Oct 16, 2019 | Fundraising, Jobs
A Derby charity fundraiser is preparing for his ultimate challenge to raise money for local charity Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal.
Simon Barcz (39) from Oakwood has already raised more than £10,000 for Derby-based Safe and Sound which specialises in grassroots work across the county to transform the lives of children and young people who are victims of or at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE).
Mr Barcz, who is a heat treatment specialist at Gardner Aerospace in Derby has completed several half and full marathons and other running challenges as part of his bit to tackle type 2 diabetes.
Having shed nearly six stone, he has set his sights on trekking to Everest Base Camp next month – tackling 115km across difficult terrain and battling altitude sickness to reach heights of 19,000ft above sea level.
He will leave Derby on Friday November 1 – the day after his 40th birthday – flying to Kathmandu and then onto Lukla before starting the 11-day trek
On his return, he will join family and friends for a belated birthday celebration on Sunday November 17 at The Neptune pub in the city centre which has sponsored him for the challenge alongside DBY Flooring and JRU Building Services.
Mr Barcz said: “Having done all sorts of charity fundraising challenges – I wanted to do the ultimate trip and you don’t get much bigger than going to the Everest base camp in the Himalayas.
“I am now 15 stone 6 lbs which is the lightest I have been for many years and I feel great. I was 24 stone at my heaviest point and would like to get a few more pounds off before and during the trip.
“I feel prepared physically and mentally but the only unknown is how I will react to the high altitude so hopefully that will be OK.”
Mar Barcz continued: “When I started raising money to give me the motivation to change my lifestyle, I supported national charities but switched to Safe and Sound as I wanted the money I raised to go to a local charity that supports local children and young people.
“I am very near my goal of £4,000 ahead of the trip but hopefully the regulars at The Neptune and other local pubs will dig deep to support me as they follow my journey.”
The money raised will go towards Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal to enable the charity to expand its work to support young people, their families and further raise awareness of CSE amongst local communities.
Safe and Sound chief executive Tracy Harrison said: “Simon has been one of our most active fundraisers in recent years and we wish him the best of luck in this, his ultimate endeavour.
“The money he has so kindly raised will greatly help us to develop the vital work needed to support and protect children and young people from the devastating and manipulative damage that sexual exploitation has on their lives.
“We will be eagerly following his progress and look forward to welcoming him back safe and sound to Derby for what will be a well deserved birthday celebration and rest.”
To support Simon’s ultimate challenge, please donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-barcz3
For more information about how to support Safe and Sound, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk and follow on Facebook and Twitter @safeandsoundgroup or email [email protected]
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Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945665; [email protected]
About Safe and Sound and the Butterfly Appeal
Safe and Sound was launched in 2002 and is the only local charity that is totally focused on transforming the lives of thousands of children and young people who are victims or are at risk of child sexual exploitation across Derbyshire.
Safe and Sound’s expertise came to the fore during the 2010 landmark case – Operation Retriever – which was Derby’s first prosecution for child sexual exploitation and abuse. The charity’s specialist team supported every young person affected by the criminal actions of 13 defendants who were jailed in total for up to 22 years for 70 offences.
Safe and Sound’s specialist team provides individual support for children and young people from as young as eight up to the age of 18. They also raise awareness of the issue and the dangers facing children and young people through awareness programmes for schools, organisations, businesses and community groups.
Safe and Sound has launched the Butterfly Appeal #Buildingstrongwings to bring to fruition its vision for expanded services to support young people, families and wider community.
The charity’s future vision is extensive and includes:
– A new outreach programme to provide hands-on support where young people are at their most vulnerable
– Wider support for the families of victims and those at risk of CSE
– Youth work programmes with new activities from music to sport to build young people’s confidence and resilience
– Specialist psychological therapy programmes to tackle trauma, anxiety and depression
– Longer term support for survivors moving into adulthood enabling them to mentor younger victims
– An expanded community education programme to increase public awareness of CSE and the dangers facing young people
Supporters and ambassadors include the Chief Constable of Derbyshire who has chosen Safe and Sound as one of his chosen charities.
For more information about child sexual exploitation, Safe and Sound Derby and the Butterfly Appeal please visitwww.safeandsoundgroup.co.uk and follow on social media. A powerful video outlining young people’s experiences and why local people and businesses should support Safe and Sound is online at https://youtu.be/xjcb1y2cfGE
About CSE
In the UK today, one in 20 children suffer sexual abuse which includes child sexual exploitation. That means that in every classroom in Derbyshire, there is at least one vulnerable young person in need of help.
Child Sexual Exploitation (commonly referred to as CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse and takes many different forms from rape and sexual assault to online grooming and encouraging children to share inappropriate images of themselves.
CSE is a particularly manipulative form of abuse and is also linked to such criminal exploitation issues such as County Lines, gangs, trafficking and modern slavery.
The key factor is that individuals or groups take advantage of young people by manipulating or deceiving them into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants. This could range from money and alcohol to less tangible things such as the attention that they crave at a vulnerable time in their lives.
