Derby-based specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has made a key appointment to enable future service expansion
Tom Stanyard has been appointed Head of Fundraising at Safe and Sound which is the only local charity focused on transforming the lives of children and young people who are victims of or at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation, commonly referred to as CSE.
Mr Stanyard joins Safe and Sound from Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough where he was Corporate Partnership Fundraiser with previous experience in sales and business development.
His new role will focus on driving forward Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal to raise vital funds for a new and innovative programme of support for young people, their families and wider local communities.
Safe and Sound Chief Executive Tracy Harrison explained: “We have already supported hundreds of children and young people who have already been sexually exploited and helped to protect many others in danger of online and direct grooming which is the first stage of these perpetrators’ evil manipulation.
“Moving forwards, we need to step up the support available in our local communities with new services such as outreach work, family support, youth work programmes, psychological therapy, longer term support for survivors and an expanded community education programme.
“However, we will not be able to do this without the support and generosity of businesses, groups and individuals across Derbyshire and have launched the Butterfly Appeal to raise vital funds to achieve our goals.
“Tom’s experience and evident passion for supporting and improving the quality of life for children and young people through his previous role will be vital as the Butterfly Appeal gathers pace.”
Mr Stanyard added: “I am honoured to be joining Safe and Sound at such a pivotal time for this well-respected charity and to bring the vision to reality.
“We are currently finalising a great programme of corporate partnerships and exciting fundraising challenges which will run alongside our widespread programme to raise awareness of CSE which affects so many children and young people and their families in our local communities.”
For more information about Safe and Support can help and how to support the charity’s work in Derbyshire, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.organd follow on Facebook and Twitter @safeandsoundgroup #BuildingStrongerWings
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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.ukand 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.