Tag: NSPCC

Cyclist takes on NSPCC challenge

A cyclist has pledged to clock up 300km in 30 days to raise money for NSPCC Scotland to help protect children from harm.

David O’Rourke, who took up cycling ventures for charity about six years ago, is completing the challenge in lanes and roads around his Linlithgow home.

All the money raised will go to the NSPCC, which helps protect children from abuse, and has provided a lifeline through its Childline service for hundreds of children in Scotland through the Coronavirus pandemic.

David, 47, said the lockdown had made him think about those, especially children, for whom home was a difficult place to be and that was why he decided this year to support the NSPCC.

Since lockdown, Childline counsellors have heard from children whose parents have lost their jobs and are under growing financial pressure, as well as from young carers struggling to look after their siblings while their parents are ill with Coronavirus symptoms. Some children have talked about experiencing abuse and feeling trapped and isolated.

David, whose cycling challenges have included London to Paris, said: “I started cycling about six years ago to get fitter and to lose weight. I like to pick a charity and have a target, as it makes you get up and go out in the morning. The lockdown for so many people is not a nice thing but one good thing is that you can get out and exercise.”

Speaking about why he chose the NSPCC, David, a team manager at information technology company Atos, said: “When I look back at my childhood, I realise I was really lucky and that not everybody is as fortunate.

“There are kids who live in environments that aren’t very good, and the lockdown will be making life even harder for them, so I decided that I wanted to support the brilliant work of the NSPCC.”

Caroline Renton, Supporter Fundraising Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “We’re very grateful to David, as we are to all of those who are raising funds for us during this difficult period, especially when so many of the big fundraising challenges have been cancelled or postponed.

“Throughout the public health crisis, we have been there for children and we continue to be so. Our Helpline experts are there to take calls from any adults concerned about a child and our Childline counsellors are there for children, struggling with a range of issues, including their mental health, family relationships and experiencing abuse.

“Our counsellors are there to listen to them, provide support and guide them to make decisions that are right for them.

“I’d encourage anyone who would like to support us to take inspiration from David and sign up for one of our challenges or come up with a fundraising idea of your own.”

If you would like to help raise funds for the charity:

contact scotlandfundraising@nspcc.org.uk

or visit https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/charity-runs-cycles-and-challenges/charity-cycles/ride300/

Anyone who would like to sponsor David can visit his fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/davidjorourke.

Children and young people can contact Childline about any worries by calling 0800 1111 or visiting the site. 

The NSPCC Helpline is available for advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk.

NSPCC launches campaign to help children in Scotland exposed to harm under lockdown

  • Latest figures from the NSPCC reveal week of April 13-19 saw the highest number of contacts to its helpline this year

With growing concern for the safety of some children during the coronavirus crisis NSPCC Scotland wants more people to know how to get advice and support and where to raise concerns about a child’s wellbeing.

The charity is launching a new TV and advertising campaign today (May 4) across the UK to promote its free and confidential helpline for adults.

The film, which will run on national television and across social media, depicts a helpline expert taking a call from someone concerned for the wellbeing of a neighbour’s child.

The UK Government has provided £1.6m in funding so that the NSPCC can expand its helpline by employing more staff across two sites and raise public awareness of it.

The work comes as the charity publishes the latest data from its helpline which shows that the crisis has exacerbated existing risks for children and created new ones:

  • In the month since lockdown there have been a total of 5,237 contacts to the helpline from across the UK from adults concerned about the wellbeing and safety of a child
  • Of these, 817 contacts were from adults with worries about parents and carers misusing alcohol and other substances, a 22% increase on the four weeks prior to March 23rd
  • Other issues where there has been a double-digit percentage increase in contacts include domestic abuse (10%) and emotional abuse (50%)
  • From April 13th to 19th the NSPCC helpline received 1580 contacts, the highest number in a single week in 2020.

One adult who contacted the helpline in the last month said: “I am concerned about the children who live next door.  Just now I heard the mother screaming and shouting at the child and I heard her say “Shut the **** up!” and there were threats of violence too.

“There is an ongoing situation where the mother invites adults to the family home and there is a lingering of cannabis in the air whilst the children are present.” (Neighbour)

 While schools and social workers remain at the forefront of work to protect vulnerable children, including by supporting them to attend school, expanding the NSPCC helpline and raising its profile will mean more adults will know they can contact our experts with concerns about the safety and wellbeing of any children.

The trained helpline staff can offer advice and make informed decisions about whether further support is potentially needed for a child and their family.

Matt Forde, NSPCC Scotland head of service, said: “One of the big challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic is ensuring that children are safe, now that so much of their everyday lives are hidden from public view.

“It is more important than ever that all of us in society play our part in looking out for those children for whom home is not always the safest place.

“Thanks to this new funding, the NSPCC will be able to reach more adults across Scotland with the message that our helpline is here to provide confidential support and advice if they have any worries about the safety and wellbeing of a child.”

Iona Colvin, Scotland’s Chief Social Work Adviser, said: “Our communities are playing a tremendous role during the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting neighbours and paying special attention to individuals and families who are more vulnerable. 

“The changes to the ways that families are living at this time may put some children at greater risk and also reduce opportunities for children to speak out for themselves.

“Whether you are a family member, friend or neighbour, please be alert to any signs that children might be at risk.  If you have any concerns call the police or local social work department or you can talk it through with the NSPCC.”

Alan Small, Chair of Child Protection Committees Scotland, said: “With the closure of schools and nurseries, the onus of care has now shifted on to neighbours, delivery people, volunteers and the wider community. 

“We’re urging everyone to keep their eyes and ears open for anything amiss. This is even more important at a time when families may be under significant additional stress. If you’re at all worried about a child’s welfare, it’s much better to say something than do nothing.”

Some common signs that there may be something concerning happening in a child’s life include:

  • aggressive or repeated shouting
  • hearing hitting or things being broken
  • children crying for long periods of time
  • very young children left alone or are outdoors by themselves
  • children looking dirty or not changing their clothes
  • children being withdrawn or anxious.

Last year the NSPCC helpline, which has around 100 staff, received 73,000 contacts from people with concerns about a child’s welfare.

It can be reached 24 hours a day by email – help@nspcc.org.uk – or through its online reporting form. Its team of experts can also be called Monday to Friday 8am-10pm or 9am-6pm at the weekends on 0808 8005000.

All of Us: still here to help in Edinburgh

Help is available for any families struggling in Edinburgh despite the ongoing health crisis, say the city’s Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland.

All of Us was launched earlier this year to help people find out where to get support and advice with parenting or other worries about family life and where to turn if they have concerns about a child.

The campaign is also raising awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling.

It has never been more important that both children and adults have somewhere safe they can turn to if they are worried. That is why Edinburgh’s Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland are doing everything they can to ensure that vital services such as the NSPCC run Childline and various helplines for adults worried about a child can stay open, while also ensuring staff and volunteers have a safe environment in line with government advice.

The partnership wants to help parents and carers, who may be struggling, and signpost them to where they can get advice and support before reaching crisis point.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “We know that looking after a child can be challenging for all parents, and now even more so as we all have to be responsible and stay at home to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

“It is so important that people know there is still support out there and that they know where to turn for help.”

Joanna Barrett, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for NSPCC Scotland added: “The entire way we think about child protection has changed in a matter of days and it is encouraging how the Scottish Government has recognised the effects this crisis could have on children at risk of abuse and neglect.

“We all need to play our part by checking in with families however we can and reaching out for support and advice if we have any concerns.”

Jackie Irvine, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “We appreciate these are extremely challenging times for everyone, but protecting young people and supporting families remains a priority for us.

“The need for people to support each other is greater than ever, which we are seeing as communities pull together and show great strength.”

For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm. People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324.

To find out more about the campaign visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus 

Film based on NSPCC ambassador’s life comes to Edinburgh

Newly released film Sulphur and White, which depicts a man’s journey from childhood abuse to eventual healing, is lauded by Edinburgh campaigner as the drama is screened in the city.

Ruth Moss, who lives in Edinburgh and is an honorary member of the NSPCC Council, praised the film after watching it and meeting David Tait, whose story of trauma to eventual healing is portrayed through the deeply personal screen drama.

The brutally honest yet inspiring film, which shows the impact of child sexual abuse on David’s life, is being screened at Vue Cinema, Edinburgh Omni Centre, on Tuesday (March 17), with 20% of ticket sales going to the children’s charity.

The film about David, an NSPCC ambassador and fundraiser, was directed by BAFTA and Emmy Award nominee Julian Jarrold and written by Susie Farrell. Actors starring in the film include Mark Stanley, Emily Beecham, Dougray Scott and Anna Friel.

Ruth, who met David at the film’s premiere in Glasgow, said: “David spent many years with this as a hidden secret, and I really hope this film encourages people that have gone through similar dreadful experiences to realise that there’s no better time to speak out, even if it’s been a long time since that experience took place.

“This film is powerful, it has impact and it provides a real message. It’s a film that everyone should watch and will come out feeling different from when they went in.”

David, who has raised more than £1.5 million for the children’s charity, said: “I backed Sulphur and White being made because I wanted people to understand the reality of child sexual abuse and the collateral damage it can cause. I also wanted to show people that there is redemption and a future.

“I’m hoping the film will encourage people with hidden pasts to talk about their own problems and it will give them comfort going forward.

“The NSPCC and Childline is such an incredibly important resource for children these days – that they can reach out for help and there is someone there to listen to them and support them.”

Last year, over 500 children and young people in Scotland contacted Childline about sexual abuse. During the same period, Police Scotland recorded more than 5,000 sexual offences against children.

Matt Forde, national head of service for NSPCC Scotland, said: “It is so important that people feel that if they speak out they will be listened to and believed, however much time has passed since the abuse happened.

“We hope that David’s story will give people the courage to do so, and that they will receive the support they need.

“We are also extremely grateful for David’s incredible support and fundraising feats for the charity.”

Since leaving his role as a city trader, David has raised money for the children’s charity by climbing Mount Everest on five occasions and was the first person to complete the North-South traverse. He was awarded an MBE by The Queen for his services to children.

He continues to be a significant figure for the NSPCC, speaking personally about his experiences to raise awareness and champion its work at events throughout of the UK.

Mark Stanley, who plays David on screen, said: “I hope that people watching Sulphur and White will gain some of the insight and understanding that I got from playing this part about the profound impact of child sexual abuse.” 

Sulphur and White in Vue Cinema, Edinburgh Omni Centre on Tuesday (March 17) at 7.30pm. https://www.myvue.com/cinema/edinburgh-omni-centre/film/sulphur-and-white/times

Facebook not safe for kids, says charity poll

  • Poll shows majority of adults believe Facebook is failing in its duty of care to protect children
  •  Three out of four don’t think Facebook is safe for children
  • NSPCC urges Facebook to rethink encryption plans or face tough sanctions from new regulator

The NSPCC has slammed Facebook’s encryption plans after three out of four adults polled in Scotland said they didn’t think the site was safe for children.

Out of 180 adults in Scotland, just one in five (22%) said the tech giant took the safety of children using the site seriously and two thirds (66%) believed the platform was failing in its duty of care to protect children.

The results for Scotland were similar to those of the whole Great Britain sample, which consisted of 2,070 adults.

The claims came in an NSPCC/ Savanta ComRes poll following the tech giant’s announcement that they will encrypt messages on Facebook and Instagram.

The charity previously revealed that one in 25 young people (11 to 17 year olds) who used Facebook or Facebook Messenger had sent, received or been asked to send sexual content to an adult.

It is now warning the tech giant not to create hiding places for abusers by pressing ahead with encryption plans that don’t have strong safeguards in place.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who admitted that his plans would protect the “privacy of people doing bad things”, has failed to give any clear answers in how he intends to stop groomers preying on children on his site.

The NSPCC is calling for supporters to sign an open letter to Facebook demanding they put children first as part of its Wild West Web campaign.

Andy Burrows, NSPCC head of child safety online policy, said: “Facebook has been called out for its abject failure to make their platforms safe, yet their encryption plans will give offenders a free pass to abuse children while they look the other way.

“This cavalier approach risks creating a one stop grooming shop if Facebook don’t include strong safeguards that protect children in their encryption plan.

“Boris Johnson must make it clear that upcoming regulation will force Facebook to guarantee children’s safety on its messaging services or be hit hard in the pocket for failing in its duty of care.”

The NSPCC is calling for:

  • No end-to-end encryption for messages going to or coming from children’s accounts on Facebook apps
  • Adults accounts not to be encrypted until and unless Facebook has solutions to ensure child abuse can be detected and that children safety won’t be compromised
  • The Government to push ahead with introducing an independent Duty of Care regulator to keep children safe online
  • The Government to warn Facebook that encryption breaches the incoming Duty of Care and pressing ahead will mean tough consequences

Sharp rise in child cruelty and neglect crimes in last year

Recorded child cruelty and neglect offences in Scotland rose by more than a quarter in the last year, the NSPCC reports. There were 818 child cruelty and neglect offences recorded in Scotland in 2018/19 and 640 recorded in 2017/18 – a 28 per cent increase. Continue reading Sharp rise in child cruelty and neglect crimes in last year

NSPCC ‘Letter from Santa’ mailroom opens-up for festive fun

Charity has delivered over 120,000 Christmas messages to children across the Scotland since 2001 

A great Christmas tradition is up and running again, with the NSPCC mailroom now taking orders for their ‘Letter from Santa’ for children around the UK.  

Since 2001 the charity has delivered 121, 407 festive messages from Father Christmas across the Scotland, bringing huge joy to the lucky recipients.   Continue reading NSPCC ‘Letter from Santa’ mailroom opens-up for festive fun