NSPCC re-launches campaign to help parents talk to children about abuse
The NSPCC has relaunched their Talk PANTS campaign to help support parents to talk to their children about abuse.
The campaign is aimed at parents with children aged 4-8 years, and is encouraging parents over the summer holidays and beyond to start having a conversation that can help keep children safe from sexual abuse.
The children's charity say each letter of PANTs provides "a simple but valuable rule, highlighting that their body belongs to them, they have a right to say no, and that they should tell an adult they trust if they’re worried or upset."
The message reinforces key lessons about abuse that will be compulsory for all primary schools in England, as part of Relationships Education - originally planned for a mandatory September roll-out - from the summer-term of 2021.
The charity says police records show in 2018/19 there were at least 7,618 recorded sexual offences against children aged 4-8.
Over 950,000 children have been helped so far through the PANTS campaign.
Helen Westerman, Local Campaigns Manager at the NSPCC said: “These conversations should be continued even after schools return and Relationships Education is rolled-out. Supporting this learning in the home is so important for ensuring children receive consistent messages on what constitutes abuse and how to speak out and get support.”
Parents and professionals can find out how to Talk PANTS here.
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