Welsh Education and Skills Minister, Huw Lewis, has spoken out in support of a new push to stop child abuse in Wales before it starts.
Mr Lewis spoke last night at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to an audience of child protection experts, Assembly Members and staff and pupils from local primary schools about his hopes for the future of the new ChildLine Schools Service in Wales and how it will play a key role in educating 9-11 year olds about the dangers facing their generation.
The ChildLine Schools Service is the NSPCC’s ambitious new programme that will see volunteers visiting primary schools across Wales, helping children to recognise abuse in all its forms and how they can stay happy and safe. The children’s charity recently launched its ‘Now I Know’ campaign across Wales, calling for more volunteers to join the team and for schools to take up this vital service. More than £1.4 million needs to be raised in Wales alone over the next three years to make this happen.
Shaun Friel, ChildLine Schools Service Manager for Wales, said: “We believe ending child cruelty is possible and that’s why we developed our ChildLine Schools Service. We want to reach out to children and give them everything they need to prevent abuse from ever happening.
“Identifying abuse and making it stop has been ChildLine’s mission since we began, we started on the phone, we went online and now we’re reaching out to children in their own school environment. NSPCC research shows that an average of two children in every primary school classroom has suffered from abuse or neglect and the majority of cases go undetected.
“These young children often feel alone and desperate and many have nobody to turn to. Most children who contact ChildLine are over 11 years of age, however many of these children suffered in silence for months or even years before eventually finding the courage to contact ChildLine, leaving themselves and other children at risk from perpetrators.
“Some suffer in silence for so long at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them, they can believe what’s happening is normal. If we are really serious about stopping child abuse, we need to reach these children when they are younger.
The Service has already visited 15000 children in 270 schools in Wales and has proved incredibly popular with parents and teachers.
Huw Lewis said: “Child abuse of any kind should never be tolerated. It is imperative that young people in Wales are able to speak up and be heard. With the help and support of the new ChildLine Schools Service children are going to get access to services which will help them understand abuse and the protection they deserve, get the confidence to talk, and importantly be aware of who’s ready to listen.”
Colin Skinner, Headteacher at Roath Park Primary School said: “As a school, Roath Park Primary has a long standing relationship with Childline, having worked with them for many years through workshops and assemblies. This particular project will be very beneficial, especially for our older children, knowing where they can seek additional confidential help whenever they need it. Childline clearly sets out in an age appropriate way the types of abuse, what is acceptable and that no child should have to suffer in silence.”
“We appreciate all that Childline offers to us as a school to reinforce our curriculum, especially through the vital area of Personal and Social education. It serves as a great support to extend the work that we do with children and their families to ensure the safety, happiness and wellbeing of all of the children in our care.”
To find out more, visit www.nowiknow.org.uk
