This two-hour interactive session provides an introduction to the importance of the language that we use when talking and writing about children and families who are impacted by abuse through exploitation.

The culture around exploitation is vital in ensuring the right response in terms of safeguarding victims and holding perpetrators to account. The language that we use has a direct impact on that culture.

Our language directly impacts a child’s development, self-identity and self-confidence. Do you always stop to think about the impact that your language can have?

The language that we use when talking and writing about children and families who are impacted by exploitation affects how we as practitioners respond to and safeguard children, as well as influencing how other practitioners and the wider community respond to and safeguard children. The language that we use has the power to protect children from further abuse or to blame the child for the abuse, thereby failing to hold the perpetrator accountable for the harm that they’ve caused. A child is NEVER responsible for their abuse.