At the end of February, our colleagues from the Serious Organised Crime team and Sussex Police delivered training to 33 colleagues from Adult Social Care, Leaving Care Service, Stonepillow, Turning Tides, Probation and Emerging Futures. The interactive session included the definition of modern slavery and exploitation, the scale of the issue in West Sussex and in the UK, the indicators and how to report anyone who may be exploited so that they can be supported.
Delegates also worked on case studies to apply their knowledge to practical cases, being able to spot the signs of exploitation and making a referral to the appropriate authorities. The feedback from delegates was excellent, and we look forward to delivering more training on modern slavery and exploitation in the future to help keep our community safe from exploitation.
We need your help to promote SHIFT!
SHIFT is a mentoring programme that uses music as a transformative tool to empower children and young people and help them reach their full potential.
AudioActive has secured funding from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) to expand its SHIFT mentoring programme across Sussex. This programme provides one-to-one music mentoring for young people at risk of offending, aiming to improve relationships, behaviour, and wellbeing. Participants receive 18 sessions over six months, with a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) evaluation approach to measure impact. With the help of their mentor, children can create their own music, beats and bars, and across any instruments or style of music.
If you know a child who would benefit from this intervention and brilliant support please contact jo@audioactive.org.uk and nicholson@audioactive.org.uk
Image by CoWomen on Unsplash
With Romance Fraud on the rise across Sussex the Community Safety Team at West Sussex County Council have collaborated with Victim Support to produce a short series of podcast episodes to raise awareness of this fraud type. On Monday 3 March three episodes were recorded at County Hall in Chichester and will be released in the coming months. Scarlett Whelan, who is a project support officer at West Sussex County Council, said “In the last two consecutive quarters, Romance Fraud has been the most common fraud type reported across Sussex. This is a really worrying trend, and part of the reason why we are producing this podcast series.”
If you want to find out more about current fraud types such as romance fraud, you can visit the Digital Safety and Fraud Prevention Team’s webpage. Here you can download resources and guides, sign up to the monthly Staying Safe Online Newsletter and find out about training and presentations to protect yourself from frauds and scams in the digital world.
Most children and young people grow up happy, healthy, and safe. However, some can be targeted and drawn into harmful situations through child exploitation – whether through sexual, criminal, or financial abuse.
West Sussex County Council is supporting National Child Exploitation Awareness Day on 18th March, encouraging everyone to learn more about this important issue and how to help protect children.
What is Child Exploitation?
Child exploitation happens when a young person is manipulated, pressured, or forced into taking part in activities like sexual acts, criminal behaviour, or scams in return for something – such as money, gifts, drugs, accommodation, or affection.
Exploitation can happen to any child, anywhere – both online and in person. The abuser could be an adult pretending to be a friend or partner, or even someone from school, college, or online social groups. Both men and women can be perpetrators.
Spotting the Signs
Knowing what to look out for can help protect children and young people. Signs that a child could be at risk include:
- Becoming secretive or withdrawn
- Losing touch with friends or family
- Spending time with older people they wouldn’t normally associate with
- Going missing from home
- Being defensive about their whereabouts
- Receiving frequent messages, especially late at night
- Having expensive items they can’t explain
While one sign alone may not mean a child is being exploited, several signs together may be a cause for concern.
How You Can Help
If you notice something that doesn’t feel right, it’s important to speak up. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you have concerns about a child, contact:
- Sussex Police or call 101
- West Sussex Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Where to Get Support and Advice Online
Together, we can help protect children and raise awareness of child exploitation.
If you see something, say something.
Did you know that West Sussex have a new support page for anyone who has experienced Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse? You can access information, advice and guidance as a resident or as someone working with a victim-survivor, by clicking the button below.
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week took place from 3rd February – 9th February. The week raised awareness about the issues of sexual abuse and sexual violence, encouraging a broader dialogue on preventing these forms of harm. WORTH Services have dedicated independent sexual violence advisors who can offer support to those who have experienced this appalling crime. Life Centre and Survivors Network are other local organisations who help people who have experienced sexual violence and abuse recover.
For those who have experienced abuse, if you are in danger or there is an emergency, always call the Police on 999. If you can't speak, you can still be transferred to the police. If you're calling from a mobile phone, you'll need to press 55 when prompted. The police will usually be able to find your location.
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