Children from Tonagh Primary School in Lisburn recently took part in an assembly organised by NSPCC Northern Ireland about how to keep themselves safe from abuse.
It comes as the the PSNI recorded 82 offences of sexual communication with a child from 2017 to 2018.
The assembly is part of the Speak Out Stay Safe service from the leading children’s charity. In the last school year (2017/2018) alone, more than 67, 000 pupils attended the assemblies and workshops at 356 schools across Northern Ireland.
Speak Out Stay Safe teaches children aged 5-11 how to recognise sexual, emotional and physical abuse and who they can talk to in order to find help. With the help of NSPCC mascot Buddy, the assemblies and workshops help children to understand and recognise abuse, know how to protect themselves from all forms of abuse, and understand how to get help, and the sources available to them, including the Childline service.
A spokesperson from Tonagh Primary School said the boys and girls enjoyed the interactive presentations and learnt vital lessons about keeping themselves safe.
“As a school, we really value the work of NSPCC in educating and protecting our children and young people,” added the spokesperson.
Karen Walker, NSPCC School Service Manager said the programme helps thousands of pupils across Northern Ireland to develop an understanding of what abuse is and how to get help to stop it from happening.
“For example, in 2017/18 the PSNI recorded 82 offences of sexual sommunication with a child and we continue to see an alarming rise of abuse and child grooming via the internet and social media. It has never been more important to talk to schoolchildren to help keep them safe,” she added.
Last year (2017/18) the NSPCC’s Childline service carried out 5,174 counselling sessions with children contacting them from Northern Ireland. The most frequently-discussed subjects included mental and emotional health, bullying and suicidal thoughts and feelings.
As part of the assemblies, the NSPCC tells children about how they can make contact with Childline if they need to talk to someone.
Karen added: “While we are delighted that the Schools Service has reached so many children, we want to reach all children in every corner of Northern Ireland.
“However, without the support of our amazing volunteers our programme simply couldn’t exist and that’s why we need more people to join our team.
“It’s a great way to meet new people and learn a new skill, while giving something back. The NSPCC give you all the training and support you need to feel confident in your role. We ask for a minimum commitment of three deliveries a month within school hours,” she added.
The assembly at Tonagh Primary School was delivered by two local volunteers, Hamilton Topping from Maze and Jennifer Kilpatrick from Dromara.
Jennifer said she comes away from each school with a real buzz.
“The message that we are getting out there is so important and that is why it is an absolute privilege to visit and be welcomed into each school.
“The best bit for me is leaving the school and knowing that every child there is now aware of our key message and that is to ‘Speak Out and Stay Safe’. Above all. It is a great honour to contribute to such an amazing organisation who put children first and believe that every childhood is worth fighting for and that every child is entitled to a happy childhood,” she added.
Hamilton said it really is a privilege to have the opportunity to present these important messages to the children and it’s great fun too.
“I believe we make a real contribution to keeping children safe and it is this feeling of doing something really worthwhile that keeps me motivated,” added Hamilton.
If you would like more information on how to volunteer for the NSPCC Schools Service, please visit the NSPCC website at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/volunteering-nspcc-childline/volunteer-childline-schools-service/ or email Karen Walker at karen.walker@nspcc.org.uk.