Gloucestershire parents encouraged to look out for signs of child exploitation
It’s part of warnings this Child Exploitation Awareness Day.
Parents in Gloucestershire are being encouraged to have conversations with their children about what they are accessing online.
It is in a bid to educate more young people on the dangers of exploitation on the internet.
Experts say as technology continues to advance children are becoming more at risk from online predators.
According to a Gloucestershire County Council 2022-2025 safeguarding report:
79.6% of Child Sexual Exploitation concerns relate to females
94.1% Child Criminal Exploitation concerns relate to males
22.8% at risk young people are currently in care
Camella Cephas, Head of Children & Care Law at Gloucestershire-based WSP Solicitors says communities and organisations in the county should be working together to help fight abuse, and the growing trend of online exploitation.
National Child Exploitation Awareness Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation and encourages people to speak out against abuse and adopt a zero-tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children.
According to 2022/23 figures published by the NSPCC, UK police recorded 86,962 sexual offences against children with many of the victims aged between 11 and 15 years old.
The charity also found that online grooming crimes against children increased by 89% in the six years to 2024.
Camella Cephas told Greatest Hits Radio “with social media our children have access to the wider world.
“You might think they’re just in their bedroom but actually the world is at their fingertips.
“It’s about as parents trying to be vigilant, trying to have open communications with your children.”