Concern over children sending explicit photos of themselves in North Yorkshire

The police are delivering sessions in schools to warn young people of the dangers

Author: Kathy GreenPublished 17th May 2024

There's concern children as young as 11 in North Yorkshire are sending explicit photos of themselves.

North Yorkshire police are delivering sessions in schools to teach children it is illegal - but also to remind them there is support available if they're impacted.

"Don't keep things to yourself speak out"

Martin Powell is a school liaison officer who says they're doing assemblies for year 7s upwards: "It's around that early intervention and prevention to make sure young people don't get involved in things like that but if by any chance they do then there is days they can work with school, with myself, with the police to help educate them around that topic."

"All we tell young people when we are working with them is please don't keep things to yourself, please speak out, it's really important that you share any issues or problems that you've got."

"Young people don't realise it is an offence to then distribute the image, they may be part of a snapchat group or a Whatsapp and they are receiving an image, they haven't asked for it but they then forward it on to other people and that's sort of committing a criminal offence and that's why we do the work around education."

"You've got the embarrassment for the pupil, you've got the police involvement, teachers getting involved, parents getting involved and it's a whole cycle of embarrassment and worry for the young person and those that are involved and if we can stop that from having initially, then that is the job that we are doing."

We spoke to Year 7 pupils at Rossett School in Harrogate about the session delivered to them about the dangers of sharing explicit photos and messages.

Robert told "I didn't find it scary, I was quite comfortable with it myself because it's something that should be known."

Poppy told us: "I thought it was really assuring to know that you are not alone if this happens to you and you can tell anyone and everyone can help you."

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