Merton Council is marking this year’s National Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day with a two day conference on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 March at Merton Civic Centre.
The conference aims to highlight the issues surrounding child sexual exploitation encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children developing inappropriate relationships with other children.
Merton’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Katy Neep, said:
“We work tirelessly with partners and the wider community to ensure that Merton is a great place for young people and families. It is therefore vital that we all play our part in ensuring that our young people are safe and supported, reporting any concerns we may have.
Our two day conference aims to act as a reminder to professionals, partners and the wider community, about the important signs to look out for should they have any concerns about a young person who may be at risk.”
The CSE sessions are available for anyone to attend and it is not essential to stay for the entire day but instead attendees can simply to drop into whichever session they wish to.
Details of the sessions are:-
THURSDAY 15 MARCH:
9.30am-10.30am:
Domestic Violence Awareness – Zoe Gallen, Merton Lead for Domestic Violence Awareness
10.45am-11.50am:
Substance Misuse Trends and Indicators links to Missing People and CSE -CATCH 22
12.00 noon-1.00pm:
Boys and Young Men and the Impact of Gender Bias’ – METRO CSE
1.15pm-2.30pm:
Child Sexual Exploitation – CATCH 22 – using a young person’s voice
2.30pm-3.30pm:
The Impact of Trauma on Children and Young People including CSE – Varinder Panesar, Forensic Psychologist, CAMHS, Tier 2 at YJT
3.45pm-4.45pm:
Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery – Human Trafficking Foundation
FRIDAY 16 MARCH:
9.30am-10.30am:
Pornography and CSE – SPECTRA, Jay Francis, Specialist Nurse and Catriona Archer, Young Person’s Sexual Health Co-ordinator
10.45am-12.15pm:
Gangs and County Lines Merton – Merton Gangs Workers
12.25 noon-1.10pm:
FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and Child Abuse linked to faith/belief – Jason Morgan, CPT Advice
1.15pm-2.30pm:
The Process of Investigation in CSE – Metropolitan Police, Wimbledon CSE Team
2.30pm-3.30pm:
A Survivor of CSE – Sammy Woodhouse – who exposed Rotherham Child Abuse and National Speaker and Advisor of CSE
3.45pm-4.45pm:
Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Serious Youth Violence – Roberta Evans, Youth Justice Manager
To attend, email felicity.kusi-appouh@merton.gov.uk stating which sessions you are interested in attending or call 0208 274 4953.
