New support service will protect young people at risk of exploitation
A new support service aimed at safeguarding vulnerable young people is being launched in the New Year to tackle growing risks of child exploitation.
Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa, alongside Derbyshire City and County Councils, has jointly appointed social justice charity Catch22 to deliver the new Children at Risk of Exploitation service, which will support children and young people vulnerable to all types of exploitation, particularly sexual.
The service, which will receive £469,147 of funding from the PCC over the next three years, went live on January 13 and will support children and young people deemed to be at medium to high risk of being abused.
It is being designed to increase their future resilience by delivering person-centred support. The service will receive referrals from police, health and other professionals as well as encourage individuals and families to self-refer young people for help.
Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa said: “Young people today face a growing number of risks, many of which have been fuelled by an increase in accessibility through technology and social media. Some are more vulnerable than others, particularly those with low self-esteem, poor mental health and a lack of confidence. It is vital we offer professional support where it is needed to help children mitigate the risks they are exposed to today.
“Preventing crime really means preventing people from suffering the anguish of becoming a victim. We know that abuse, in its all it guises, can cause a lifetime of psychological harm. We must do everything we can to support young people’s mental wellbeing and ensure the choices they make now protect their future safety.”
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse and occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity. This can be in exchange for something the victim needs or wants and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator.
Victims may still have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual.
The exploitation of children is a growing concern across the country and research has been undertaken locally and nationally to gain a better understanding of vulnerability, enabling professionals to identify risk factors and potential victims.
Exploitation includes issues such as Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage and Honour Based Violence, Trafficking and County Lines, Modern Day Slavery, Extremism and Radicalisation, Online and offline abuse and gang-related activity.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| News Have you seen missing girl Megan From Ripley Have you seen Megan? The 15-year-old has been reported missing from her home in Ripley. read more | |
| A night at the museum for the 5th Dronfield Hilltop Cubs Great British Car Journey, the award-winning classic car museum in Ambergate, Derbyshire, hosted the pack for a very special read more | |
| Alfreton chapel with planning for redevelopment as two homes goes under the hammer The former Methodist chapel in the village of Westhouses near Alfreton is to go up for auction thi read more | |
| Love Sadler Gate Promises Blooming Good Time at Spring Market Love Sadler Gate, the collective of independent businesses in the iconic Derby Cathedral Quarter street, will be holdin read more | |
| Lord Burlington opens iconic Heage Windmill On Saturday around 120 guests welcomed Lord Burlington to Heage Windmill for the Official Opening of the mill following extensive repairs read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
| Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |
| Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley boosting the speed, performance and coverage of mobile services in the area. read more | |
| Trent Barton Buses - Extension Of The £2 Single Fare Cap Trent Barton Buses have confirmed their participation in the extension of the £2 single fare cap until the end o read more | |
| Crich Tramway Village Looking For An Engineering Manager The successful candidate for this post will have excellent management skills gained whilst working in a practical workshop e read more | |
