Speakers at the events include David Tait, an NSPCC honorary trustee who was abused as a child, NSPCC development and impact manager Anna Racher, who will discuss the impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of encouraging children to speak out, and Donald Findlater, child safeguarding consultant to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which works to protect children.
Jersey’s Children’s Commissioner, Deborah McMillan, is also due to speak.
The PANTS campaign, which was launched last week at Tamba Park, encourages parents, carers and professionals to have conversations with children in an age-appropriate way about how to stay safe from sexual abuse.
It promotes the PANTS rule: Privates are private; Always remember your body belongs to you; No means no; Talk about secrets that upset you; and Speak up – someone can help.
On Friday two identical sessions are due to run for professionals at the Town Hall, the first from 9 am until noon and the second from 1 pm until 4 pm.
Glenys Johnston, independent chairwoman of the Jersey Safeguarding Partnership Board, will open the events. She said: ‘We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect. I am pleased to see that so many professionals working with children have booked to attend this event on Friday.’
She added: ‘It is fantastic to see so much support already for this significant campaign for Jersey. Hundreds of children and families attended the launch of the PANTS and helpline campaign last Friday, with Pantosaurus [the dinosaur mascot] spreading important messages to help keep children safe from abuse.
‘Parents know it’s an important conversation to have but don’t always know how to go about it. We hope the child-friendly and catchy animation will act as a conversation starter, helping parents to address the topic of sexual abuse without using frightening words.’
Spaces at the free events can still be booked at safeguarding.je/
courses/.
