Hello everyone… it’s been a while since I last blogged but this is down to the fact that we have been busy beavering away developing tools to assist you in your role of protecting children and young people, which we have been very excited about.

One tool which I am particularly excited and proud of is the ‘Say Something if you See Something’ toolkit! The NWG in partnership with The Children’s Society planned the national launch event at The House of Commons, which took place on 10th Septmeber. The toolkit was developed to raise awareness within the community and assist hotels, take-aways, leisure centres, restaurants, shopping centres and other premises which can be used for the purpose of grooming and/or sexual exploitation to spot the signs and know how to respond.

The few days approaching the launch event were quite manic, trying to finalise the toolkit, ensuring that the content was complete and ensuring the design was suitable, with numerous phone calls to the designers and several trips to the stationary cupboard!

The day before the launch event was probably the most frantic, having printer issues but more importantly, trying to decide what to wear!!! I decided that a gym session would calm me down, however I found myself on the treadmill having conversations on the phone with the children’s society, finalising plans for the event!

Once at home, I decided on my outfit and shoes, courtesy of the boss’s daughter, thanks Suzi! I packed my things, ready for an early start to travel down to the big smoke! I decided an early night was in order but unfortunately the night comprised of some unsettling anxiety dreams…or should I say nightmares?! I dreamt that one of the speakers at the event failed to attend, that my slides were not available, that an MP left the event due to boredom, not the best nights sleep I’ve ever had!!!

The next morning, I boarded the train and felt quite excited at the prospect of launching and presenting at Westminster. I arrived in good time and met the boss. We made our way to the canteen for some breakfast and bumped into Maggie Atkinson, the Children’s Commissioner, who also seemed very positive about the event. I then met with other partners and colleagues prior to entering the room.

The launch was hosted by Nicola Blackwood MP, Damian Green MP, the police and crime minister, was a guest speaker encouraging businesses to sign up to the campaign. MPs were asked to attend and support the campaign and work with local businesses and raise awareness in their constituencies.

The event was attended by Tim Laughton, Keith Vaz, Sarah Champion MP, Anne Coffey MP, civil servants, police, leaders from hotel chains including Travelodge and Thistle, the SIA, workers from the voluntary sector and Maggie Atkinson, Children’s Commissioner for England, who said: ‘Although awareness of the signs of child sexual exploitation has increased dramatically among professionals and the public, there is still far more we can do to identify the child victims and perpetrators of this damaging crime. I would urge hotels, restaurants and shops to get hold of the Say Something if you See Something toolkit and to use it to inform their staff. It is only by working together that we can address child abuse.’

Myself, Jenny Mahimbo (TCS), Julie Hague (Sheffield) and PS Katherine Wallis (S Yorkshire Police) presented to attendees and provided some background information about the campaign. The presentations were well received despite being interrupted by the sound of loud ringing bells during my presentation and despite Sheila accidentally setting her phone off to make unexpected noises!

The afternoon ended with a much needed and deserved LARGE slice of chocolate cake to celebrate what has been a very successful launch event!

Say Something if you See Something – which is available FREE through the NWG Resources – equips local businesses and communities with tools for identifying and responding to children who need protection, so that the next time predatory individual(s) targets vulnerable young people for sexual exploitation, someone will notice and act.

We are also very pleased to announce that Travelodge has expressed an interest in adopting and delivering this campaign nationally within their hotels and we look forward to working in partnership with Travelodge to ensure that we further raise awareness of this issue and ultimately better safeguard our community.