Councils behind a West Midlands campaign to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE) are urging people to make a personal pledge to help tackle the abuse.

Dudley, Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils along with West Midlands Police are supporting national CSE awareness day on Friday March 18th.

Organised by charity National Working Group, which is dedicated to helping combat CSE, the day aims to encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse.

On the day people are asked to write a personal pledge on their hands and then post a photo of it on social media using the hashtag #HelpingHands. The pledge can be anything, from speaking out, to educating others.

The seven regional councils, the police and partner organisations are working together to raise the profile of CSE in the region through the See Me, Hear Me campaign. This aims to increase people’s understanding of child sexual exploitation and how to spot the warning signs in a child or young person’s behaviour that may indicate something is wrong. 

Events will be taking place across the region to mark the day and councils are calling on people to make their own personal pledge and post it on line.

In Dudley an awareness raising roadshow is visiting towns throughout this week, delivered by the council’s CSE team and groups from across the borough’s voluntary sector. It will be in Sedgley town centre on Thursday 17th and Halesowen Town Centre on Friday 18th, between 10am and 4pm each day.

Councillor Ian Cooper, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“Our regional See Me, Hear Me campaign is increasing people’s understanding of CSE and how to spot the warning signs, so we’re supporting this national awareness day to spread the message further.

“We’d like as many people as possible to get involved. Make a personal pledge, post a photo on social media and then act on what you’ve decided to do. We’ll also have roadshows taking place across the borough during the week where people can find out more."

Warning signs of CSE include having friends who are older, persistently going missing, secretive relationships with unknown adults, truancy from school, chronic fatigue, constant calls on a mobile phone and the possession of money or new things.

Nick Page, chief executive of Solihull Council and regional CSE lead, said:

“We all have our part to play in stopping this horrendous abuse. The more aware we are of the signs, the greater chance we have to stop the abuse and protect our young people. You can visit seeme-hearme.org.uk to find out more and make your own pledge on March 18 to help stop this abuse.”

The site contains information about CSE and how to spot the warning sites. There are also targeted resources for schools and those who work in leisure and hospitality industries, such as hotels, leisure centres and taxi companies. To find out more about the national CSE Awareness Day, visit stop-cse.org.

Anyone who is concerned about the safety of a young person should call West Midlands Police on 101, speak in confidence to Barnardo’s on 0121 359 5333 or, in an emergency, call 999. Childline also has counsellors available online at www.childline.org.uk