ChildLine launches new campaign for schools

A children’s charity could feature in every Lancashire primary school following the launch of a new campaign.
ABUSE PREVENTION: ChildLine school service. ChildLine hopes to visit each school once every two years Picture: JON OSBORNEABUSE PREVENTION: ChildLine school service. ChildLine hopes to visit each school once every two years Picture: JON OSBORNE
ABUSE PREVENTION: ChildLine school service. ChildLine hopes to visit each school once every two years Picture: JON OSBORNE

The NSPCC claims there can be a massive reduction in child abuse if more is done to prevent it before it starts.

And the ChildLine school service has already visited 8,710 children in 157 schools in Lancashire to talk about the issue.

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The charity launched its “Now I Know” campaign, asking people to put ChildLine in every primary school in the region.They hope to visit each school once every two years to talk to children about abuse, how to protect themselves and where to get help.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: “People in this country do not want to tolerate child abuse.

“We no longer need to convince them of the suffering it leads to, or the costs to future lives – Jimmy Savile’s crimes are one shocking illustration of the consequences when people do not speak up and are not heard, for whatever reason.

“But we must now inspire everyone to believe that such horrors can be prevented and that they can help.

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“Protection after the event, vital as it is, can’t attack the root causes of the problem.”

He added: “We want children to be able to say ‘Now I Know’ – and not, ‘I wish I had known’.”

County Coun Nikki Hennessey, Lancashire County Council’s lead member for schools, said: “We all want children to feel they can turn to adults for help if they need it, but first they need to understand what abuse is and who they can tell about it.

“We welcome ChildLine’s sessions in schools.

“They will complement the work that is already happening in Lancashire.”