Safeguarding
Protecting Your Child From Sexual Exploitation
It is often hard to tell the difference between difficult teenage behaviour and the signs of sexual exploitation. The more information you have about the dangers and risks that children may face the better equipped you’ll be to keep them safe.
Please follow the link below for more information from the NSPCC website:
Domestic Violence (including Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage)
Domestic violence is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling or threatening behaviour between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they’re frightened of someone’s reaction is being abused. For more information and guidance on how to access local services, included the Wirral Family Safety Unit, please follow the link below:
https://www.wirral.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care/domestic-abuse
A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used. It is an appalling and indefensible practice and is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.
Please find more information on forced marriage, and what to do if yourself or someone you know is a victim or potential victim of forced marriage at the following link:
Reporting Abuse
Abuse can be difficult to spot and quite often the best option is simply to listen carefully to what an adult at risk is telling you. The following may be signs of abuse:
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a series of unexplained injuries
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malnutrition, untreated ulcers or bedsores
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disappearance of personal possessions
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sudden appearance of unpaid bills
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bruising or bleeding in the rectal or genital areas
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change in mood or behaviour (e.g. becoming withdrawn, aggressive or emotional)
If you witness, suspect or have concerns that an adult at risk is being abused it is your responsibility to report it.
https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/public/concerned-about-an-adult/
If you feel an adult at risk is unable to make decisions for themselves and is likely to remain at risk of abuse, or you yourself are being abused, you should contact the Central Advice and Duty Team in confidence on:
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Telephone: (0151) 606 2006
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Fax: (0151) 606 2600
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Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
If you need to call outside these hours then the Emergency Duty Team is available Monday to Friday from 5pm to 9am. This includes weekends and bank holidays (including Christmas, New Years Day and Easter).
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Telephone: (0151) 677 6557
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Fax: (0151) 677 5372
If you believe the situation is very serious and you or an adult at risk is at immediate risk of harm you should report the matter to the Police by dialling 999.
What happens next?
We have a duty to respond to any claims of abuse, as we must assess the needs of any adult at risk who may need care, support and protection. We will make contact with the adult at risk who may need care, support and protection. We will make contact with the adult at risk and discuss the information we have received. As a result an investigation may take place.
The individual at risk will be kept informed and will be part of the decision making process as it affects them. If the alleged abuse raises concerns about the safety of other people we will take this into account in the way the concern is dealt with. We will share information with other people who need to know about the concern, where appropriate, in order to ensure a satisfactory response in safeguarding those at risk.
Concerns regarding Child Safety
If you have any concerns regarding child safety – please contact one of the following:
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5005
- CADT (Social Services): (0151) 606 2008
