This campaign uses a short-film which aims to raise awareness around exploitation amongst trusted adults and highlight the importance of them acting if they are concerned about a young person.
The film focuses on four stories, which although fictional, are typical of the types of criminality children do and have been drawn into within and beyond Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
It highlights that whilst children may not tell an adult if they are in trouble, there are often some signs which indicate they might need help. This may simply be a change in a child or young person’s behaviour from what is considered ‘normal’ for them but can also include:
- Withdrawal from usual group of friends and a mention of older or new friends
- Having gifts, a new phone or money that can’t be accounted for
- Becoming withdrawn or secretive
- Receiving a large number of calls or messages to their phone or being worried about being away from their phone
- A drop in grades or performance, as well as suspension or exclusion from school
- Going missing from home or not showing up to school or regular afterschool groups or clubs
- Become involved in low level criminality such as antisocial behaviour
