18th March 2024
This year during Child Exploitation Week in NI we are raising awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE) as experienced by boys and young men.
Observed on 18 March National Child Exploitation Awareness Day highlights Child Exploitation encouraging everyone to Think Twice, Think Abuse.
To help us improve the chances of young males being heard and to deter sexual predators and criminal activity through awareness of child exploitation three animations, co-designed by boys and young men, have been produced in partnership with the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), YouthAction NI and VOYPIC.
The content of the short animations include key messages from boys and young men for use on social media. These include explaining what ‘exploitation’ is and to show that CSE can happen to anyone in a variety of different ways, in different settings and by different types of people.
Lads it can happen to you from SBNI on Vimeo. Access the animations at the Safeguarding Board NI website or at the following links:
https://vimeo.com/871009888 to view ‘Not just creepy old dudes’
https://vimeo.com/871009810 to view ‘Who is behind the screen?’
CSE is a form of child abuse where young people are coerced to take part in sexual activity, manipulated by the receipt of gifts, money, drugs or alcohol in return.
In 2024 to mark the 10th anniversary of National Child Exploitation Awareness Day we encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to Child Exploitation.
If you need help or you know someone who is affected by child sexual exploitation, talk to someone you trust like a parent, teacher, youth worker. You can get help by contacting any of the following:
- Police on 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.
- If you are a young person under 19 call the free and confidential Childline number on 0800 1111 or visit https://www.childline.org.uk/.
- If you are over 16 you can contact the Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; phone 0808 802 1414.