As lockdown measures ease, professionals are being asked to report any signs a child may be suffering from abuse amid concerns that cases have increased among young people hidden from view during lockdown.
The organisations’ new ‘Know, Look, Act’ campaign urges all adults who come into contact with children to learn the signs of abuse and report any concerns to safeguarding professionals, the police or the NSPCC.
The Children’s Society has said abuse, including child sexual abuse, may have been going undetected during the Covid-19 crisis because children are spending more time at home, where they are less visible to professionals like teachers and social workers and to the public.
The charity has also raised concerns that children may be being exploited in other people’s homes by criminal gangs.
A list of signs that could indicate a child is being abused has been issued as part of the campaign and will appear on posters in offices, public spaces, cafes and restaurants as well as in foodbanks and Covid-19 testing centres.
The list includes:
-
Guarded behaviour around particular individuals
-
Sudden changes in behaviour
-
Bruises, burns, bite marks or fractures
-
Children appearing withdrawn, anxious or frightened
-
Hearing or seeing shouting and violence towards a child
-
Children seen carrying or using drugs
-
Children being late or arriving home late in different cars
-
Unaccompanied children visiting a house where only adults live.
James Simmonds-Read, national prevention programme manager at The Children’s Society, said: “It’s a real worry that horrific child abuse and exploitation, which might be picked up on quickly in ordinary times could be going under the radar right now.
“We can all play a vital role in protecting vulnerable children, which is why we are urging anyone with concerns - be it a pizza delivery driver, gas engineer or a worried neighbour - to take responsibility and report them.
“If something doesn’t feel right, it might not be and by speaking out you could help a child escape a really dangerous, traumatic situation.”
Chief Constable Simon Bailey, NPCC lead for child protection, added: “Child protection and safeguarding the vulnerable remains a priority for policing. We know the home is not the safe place it should be for all children, and the coronavirus restrictions have left young people at greater risk of familial abuse and online exploitation.
“There is also less opportunity for a child being abused to seek help or raise the alarm to anyone.
“Information from communities is a vital part of our work to protect children, which is why we are working with The Children’s Society to raise awareness of the risks to children during the Covid-19 crisis through this campaign which is being supported by forces nationwide.”
