Inverclyde hosts major conference on child sexual exploitation

Preventing child sexual exploitation is a key challenge for everyone is the main message for delegates at a major conference taking place at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock today.

Over 100 local head teachers, social workers, police and health professionals are to consider how they can work together with young people and the wider community to tackle exploitation.

Chair of Inverclyde Health & Social Care Partnership Councillor Joe McIlwee said: “Sexual exploitation is a threat to all of our children and young people and presents a challenge not just to parents but also to all those who work with young people. This conference brings together experts from across the UK and closer to home to explore a range of challenging issues.  I believe this conference will give our staff and those from partner agencies the chance to reflect on what we do well in Inverclyde to protect children and to think about what more we can do in addressing the risk.”

Hosted by Inverclyde Child Protection Committee, the conference will include presentations focussing on sexual exploitation of children through gangs, on-line and through social media.

Delegates will also consider other types of exploitation such as radicalisation, child trafficking, historic abuse and exploitation of children within residential settings.

The keynote speaker is Ethel Quale (pictured), Director of Research in the School of Health in Social Science at the University of Edinburgh and an expert in understanding and preventing on-line child abuse.

She said: “Technology use helps young people move up the ladder of opportunities and for many adolescents this will include taking risks. For a smaller number these risks potentially result in harm, especially through sexually abusive and exploitative behaviour from adults and peers. This conference marks an opportunity to raise awareness, share research evidence and build on good practice to engage all stakeholders, including young people, in reducing the risk of harm.”

The conference marks the start of a local programme of public awareness-raising around child sexual exploitation building on the Scottish Government’s national campaign. 

Young people will receive information through schools and on a new page on Young Scot Inverclyde. In tandem the campaign will be promoted to parents at GP surgeries and other public buildings, as well as through local radio.

Councillor McIlwee added: The message is that child sexual exploitation can happen to any young person, regardless of their background, gender or where they are from. Talking to your child, or the young person that you care for, about the dangers of child sexual exploitation both on-line and in the community can go a long way to helping to keep them safe.”

Anyone looking for advice on starting a conversation can go to the new national website at www.csethesigns.scot