Fearless.org and Barnardo’s Scotland urge young people to speak up about child criminal exploitation

Using real-life anonymised case studies from Barnardo’s Scotland, Fearless has created a series of hard-hitting digital animations that will premiere on Snapchat and Instagram this evening, 23 April. The short clips tell the stories of three young people who were exploited and forced to commit crime.

Maya* (aged 16)

Maya moved out of her family home to live with an older ‘boyfriend’ aged around 30, it was at that point that she was introduced to heroin. The man was known to police for domestic violence, shoplifting and violence including knife crime.

The 30 year old introduced her to another adult male aged around 50. They sexually exploited her in exchange for substances, and violently assaulted her. They locked the young person in the address of the 30 year old over a period of time too.

Ryan* (aged 15)

During his early years, Ryan’s family life had been chaotic and impacted by domestic abuse. He witnessed violence and would hide weapons to keep safe. Ryan and one of his parents were rehomed in a different area far from family and friends leaving him isolated. Ryan’s substance use escalated to Class A drugs by the time he was 14 years old. He was exploited both criminally by adults asking him to run drugs to areas unknown to him and sexually by an older female.

Sophie* (aged 14)

Sophie was “encouraged” by her parents to shoplift designer goods to order. Adults linked to Sophie’s parents waited in and around the shopping area to collect the goods from Sophie and her friends. Adults provided Sophie’s family with alcohol and money for basic foodstuffs.

*Names have been changed.

Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator for the charity Crimestoppers, said:

“During the Coronavirus pandemic, there has been a marked increase in child sexual exploitation, particularly online. Whilst it’s difficult to predict how the easing of lockdown will affect child safety and criminality – our learning from last year shows a pattern of increased forms of other exploitation types such as county lines and organised shoplifting when travel can happen more freely again.

“Therefore, this campaign aims to equip young people with a greater understanding of the dangers of criminal exploitation in order to reduce the massive harm that it causes to young people in Scotland every day.

“If you know or suspect who is hurting or exploiting a child or young person, I urge you to speak up to our charity through our website Fearless.org. We guarantee you’ll stay 100% anonymous.

“We can’t trace IP addresses or any contact details that could identify you. Nobody will ever know the information came from you – but your information could save a child or young person’s life.”

Daljeet Dagon, National Programme Manager for Barnardo's Scotland, said: 

“The criminal exploitation of children and young people is not new, however, its visibility and prevalence is creating concern in both urban and rural areas across Scotland.  If we are to effectively respond to children and young people at most risk of being exploited we need to be better at identifying child criminal exploitation (CCE), disrupting perpetrators who prey on the young and vulnerable and protect children and young people who are victims of this crime.

 

“As we come out of lockdown and young people become more visible we urge everyone to be vigilant, be aware of the signs of exploitation and report any activity which you think is putting a child or young person at risk to Fearless.org”  

If any young person feels like they are being forced to do things against their will, this is exploitation and  the charities strongly urge youto speak to a trusted adult or contact Childline on 0800 1111.

In an emergency ALWAYS call 999.

#ENDS#

For more information please contact:

National Youth Projects Coordinator, Crimestoppers Scotland –

Lyndsay McDade on 07875 171 887

[email protected]

Barnardo’s Scotland Press Office on

Katrina Slater Media & Communications Manager – 0131 446 7022 or 0208 498 7555 (24 hours), [email protected]

Notes to Editors  

• Fearless is the youth service of Crimestoppers charity and works to empower young people to make informed decisions about reporting crime. The website www.fearless.org allows young people to access non-judgemental information and advice about crime and criminality, and also offers a safe place to give information completely anonymously about crime. In addition to our website, Fearless also runs workshops in schools and for community youth groups, as well as providing training to youth professionals nationally.
• Crimestoppers is an independent charity helping communities to ‘Speak up. Stay safe.
• Our 0800 555 111 telephone number and website crimestoppers-uk.org gives people the power to speak up and pass on information about crime 100% anonymously. In over 32 years, we have always kept this promise.
• Alongside our national campaigns, we have hundreds of volunteers across the UK who help us promote our services to those that need to hear about them.
• Every region of the UK has a Crimestoppers team responsible for raising awareness of our charity and running local campaigns about issues that affect their area.
• Around 10 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over 2.2 million actionable calls, resulting in more than 151,000 arrests and charges, over £139 million worth of stolen goods have been recovered and over £367 million worth of illegal drugs have been seized.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK's Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful, with over 4,300 arrests to date.

Barnardo’s Scotland work with more than 16,300 children and young people in over 140 specialised community-based services a network of shops across Scotland. We believe in children and we believe every young person has a right to thrive. Our work includes: fostering and adoption services and support; helping children break free from sexual exploitation; supporting young people leaving care; helping young people in to employment and helping children living in poverty.   

Daljeet Dagon, is Child Sexual Exploitation / Abuse Programme Manager for Barnardo's Scotland, she  has over 20 years' direct practice and management experience working with children, young people and families affected by child sexual exploitation. 

Read her blog ‘Criminal exploitation of children is never the fault of the child’ https://www.barnardos.org.uk/blog/barnardos-scotland-criminal-exploitation-children-never-fault-child