Residents urged to help to protect children from abuse

The pack, produced by Southwark Council for the Southwark safeguarding children board, gives local people the know how to get help to protect children.

It encourages people not to ignore suspicions or concerns and includes information on the signs of abuse, what to do if you suspect abuse and what will happen to you if you report abuse. Excerpts are below in the notes.

The pack also includes posters, flyers and tips for putting on a local awareness raising event.

Residents can order a pack by calling 020 7525 3306 or by emailing sscb@southwark.gov.uk.

The NSPCC estimates that seven percent of children experience serious physical abuse at the hands of their family during childhood; while every week in England and Wales one to two children will die following cruelty.

The charity says that if you have a gut feeling that something isn't right, you should trust your judgement and take action to seek help.

Research shows that 40 percent of women and 26 percent of men in Southwark were not confident reporting to authorities a child they were concerned about.

Cllr Lisa Rajan, Southwark's executive member for children's services said: "Children have a right to grow up safe from harm. It is not acceptable for anyone to treat a child in a way that harms or makes him or her unhappy and will damage how they grow up.

"We all have a responsibility to help keep children safe. Everyone can do something. It might just be reporting any concerns you have. Or you could take the message out to your community, friends, neighbours and local groups - so that everyone knows what warning signs to look for and what to do if they spot them."

Residents can also do an online training course, which is free to everyone that works with children or adults in Southwark. For further information contact jacqueline.gill@southwark.gov.uk

More information is online at www.southwark.gov.uk/safeguardingchildren