Tag: volunteers

Childline counsels rising number of children about sexual exploitation

 

  • Childline Annual Review 2018/19 released
  • 12 counselling sessions a day with children who’ve been groomed & forced into sexual activity
  • More than 200 contacts from children in Scotland about this issue in 2018/19
  • Charity calls for teacher training on improved personal and social education
  • Other major concerns include: mental health issues, family relationships & suicidal thoughts

Childline’s annual report has revealed the service carried out on average 12 counselling sessions every day in 2018/19 with children who have been sexually exploited. 

The NSPCC’s round-the-clock service delivered 4,500 counselling sessions – up 16 per cent from the previous year – to children and young people, the youngest aged nine, who were coerced or forced into sexual activity. More than 200 of these contacts were from children living in Scotland, which was a 28% increase from the previous year.

In more than a third of counselling sessions young people disclosed they were targeted online – usually through social media or video games – often by their peers or people known to them.

Most commonly children received help from Childline because they were forced to perform or watch sexual acts or had been persuaded into sending naked images or videos of themselves – some were threatened with the images being told they would be shared with friends and family.

In the total number of counselling sessions about sexual abuse (8,841) exploitation featured in more than half.

Young people told Childline their experience with sexual exploitation also included receiving affection or gifts in exchange for sexual activities.

To help address the problem the NSPCC is calling on the Scottish Government to provide proper training to teachers so they can deliver effective and relevant lessons about healthy relationships, consent and sex; and support young people to get help from a trusted adult.

One 15-year-old girl told a counsellor she was feeling suicidal after being sexually exploited by a gang of boys:

“I never thought I would ever be the sort of person who could be sexually exploited.  One day I met up with some boys and they made me feel worth something. It started off small, complimenting me, stroking my hair. One day one of them started kissing me so I pushed him away and said no, but he wouldn’t stop.

“I ended up having sex with him because I was scared about what would happen if I said no. This pattern continued between the gang. I didn’t see a problem with it until school found out and told me what was happening was a crime.”

The Childline Annual Review also shows the biggest jump – up a quarter – in the amount of 16-18 year olds receiving counselling for sexual exploitation.

An 18-year-old girl revealed to Childline:

“When I was younger I kept going online to talk to people mainly because I felt so alone.  Some older guys started chatting to me and I sent nude pictures and videos of myself to them. I got compliments and didn’t know how to say no.

“Most of them knew I was just 13 and some of them threatened to post the pictures online if I didn’t send more. I feel sick just thinking about it and feel so insecure about this all coming back to haunt me.”

Matt Forde, National Head of Service for NSPCC Scotland, said: “Sadly, we are hearing from young people every day who are being manipulated or blackmailed into carrying out sexual acts. For many this impacts on their mental health and leaves them feeling isolated from the people closest to them. Some turn to self-harm, alcohol or substance misuse as ways of coping with their experiences.

“Everyone must be prepared to confront this problem, from government right through to schools, parents, professionals, and us at Childline. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government made 16 recommendations after reviewing personal and social education in its schools.

“It needs to now ensure that when these recommendations are implemented, teachers are confident to deliver the improved messages. Childline needs to recruit more volunteers to make sure they can be there for every child who needs our help, at all times of day and night.”

Scotland embraces annual ‘Poppy Day’

Thousands of volunteers took to the streets across the country yesterday to collect for the 2019 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

A day before Remembrance Sunday, it was one of the last opportunities for the Scottish public to pick up a poppy and make a donation to help support the country’s Armed Forces community. Continue reading Scotland embraces annual ‘Poppy Day’

Briggs praises work of Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has praised the work of the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) in supporting charities, social enterprises and Voluntary groups to make Scotland a better place.

The SCVO promotes voluntary organisations and lobby the Scottish Government on their behalf.

To celebrate 20 years of the voluntary sector and the Scottish Parliament working together SCVO have published a book, “Charities, Scotland & Holyrood, Twenty Years Delivering Change”. You can find an electronic copy of the book here.

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, said: “The voluntary sector in Scotland plays a huge role in communities up and down the country.

“Thousands of volunteers give their time and money to help a range of excellent causes that make a huge difference to peoples life.

“The SCVO do an exceptional job speaking on behalf of volunteers in Scotland and this new book aptly celebrate the working relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the voluntary sector over the last 20 years.”

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Can you help ‘lead’ the way in canine welfare as a rescue dog volunteer?

Local Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in West Calder is looking for volunteers to come onboard and lend a paw to help the canine residents in their care. The team has a number of volunteering roles to be filled, which includes canine care assistants and volunteer receptionists. Continue reading Can you help ‘lead’ the way in canine welfare as a rescue dog volunteer?

Volunteers invited to shape Scotland’s social security system

People with lived experience to have their say

Volunteers are being asked to shape Scotland’s new, fairer social security system.

Applications are open to people from any background with experience of the current benefits system to join the Scottish Government’s Social Security Experience Panels.

Ethnic minorities, those living in rural communities and people under 25 are being particularly encouraged to apply to make panels as representative as possible.

The 2,400 panel members who have signed up so far are helping shape every detail of Social Security Scotland – from the opening hours to the design of benefit application forms.

Members are regularly asked for their views in a number of ways, including workshops, interviews and surveys that can be carried out face-to-face, on the phone and online.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We want social security in Scotland to be based on dignity, fairness and respect, that’s why the views from the people who actually use the service are so important.

“Panel members have told us they find the experience rewarding, offering a real chance to make a difference to thousands of people’s lives.

“Panels should be a true representation of our society, so I’d like to encourage those from all backgrounds to join us and help make the system one we can all be proud of.”

Rob, a volunteer experience panel member, said: “Sadly there isn’t a week which goes by without a story in a national newspaper highlighting the systemic problem with the current social security system administered by the DWP.

“Joining the Experience Panel has given me a renewed sense of purpose and has allowed me to meet and work alongside a range of other people with first-hand experience of the current system.

“The panels have brought us together with a common purpose to make the most of this unique opportunity to help design a new Social Security system fit for a 21st century Scotland.”

The Scottish Government Social Security Experience Panels have been running for two years and will run for at least two more.

A number of research reports have already been published on work with panel members so far.

People can apply online or by calling 0800 029 4974.

Applications can also be completed on paper forms, which can be requested on the number above or by emailing socialsecurityexperience@gov.scot.

 

Police Scotland celebrates Volunteers’ Week

Police Scotland is teaming up with charities and voluntary organisations across the country to celebrate 35 years of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June). Continue reading Police Scotland celebrates Volunteers’ Week