Charities launch overnight helpline to tackle child sexual exploitation

A new helpline for reporting sexual exploitation of children in Scotland has been launched.

The Nightwatch Hotline, run by Barnardo's Scotland and Crimestoppers, will enable people, especially night workers, to anonymously pass on information to the charities and police if they suspect a child is being sexually abused.

Barnardo's Scotland expressed concerns there was a gap between how people would report the possible sexual exploitation and abuse of children overnight.

The children's charity approached Crimestoppers for help in developing a way for workers that often come into contact with children and young people to be able to report incidents or concerns.

Daljeet Dagon, national programme manager for child sexual exploitation for Barnardo's Scotland, said: "Our Nightwatch Hotline will provide a safe and secure means for workers in the night-time economy and the public to share any worries or concerns they have.

"In addition, this line will also provide those working with children and the community a clear procedure for issues they feel they cannot raise directly within their own organisations.

"The night-time economy boasts a vast, vibrant and diverse workforce from bar staff and hoteliers to bus drivers and the emergency departments in hospitals.

"The staff who work within these different industries can, together, offer protection to the community as a whole by recognising the signs of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and simply passing on any suspicions they have through our Nightwatch Hotline.''

Between April 1 and November 30 this year, Crimestoppers passed on 118 pieces of information to Police Scotland relating to suspected sexual offences against a child under the age of 16.

Crimestoppers' Scotland manager Angela Parker said: "Partnership working is crucial in helping to keep our streets safe and we are delighted to be working with Barnardo's Scotland in launching this new service to tackle CSE.

"Having passed on over 100 pieces of information to Police Scotland since April, this service will be vital in ensuring the public know they have an outlet to speak up about information or suspicions they might have on a young person being sexually exploited.''

Detective Superintendent Elaine Galbraith, child protection lead for Police Scotland, said: "Children and young people, both boys and girls, are being groomed for sex by predators, who exert control while hiding their intentions.

"Children may not realise they are being exploited or they may be too afraid to ask for help.

People working in the night-time economy, whether in a taxi service or in a hotel, are in a unique position to spot when a child may be a victim of exploitation and the information they can provide is invaluable.

"This hotline allows them to make that call if they have a concern and to potentially protect a child from abuse.

"Child sexual exploitation is happening across Scotland's communities, it can be difficult to identify and complex to investigate but the more communities engage with Police Scotland and our partners, like Crimestoppers and Barnardo's, the better able we will all be to protect children and end CSE.''

The Barnardo's Scotland Nightwatch Hotline can be contacted on 0800 389 0131.

For more information go to www.barnardosnightwatch.com.