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Video-wall brings child protection message to a million shoppers
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Over a million shoppers are being targeted in the fight against child abuse thanks to a hard-hitting 'infomercial' that is being screened in the Braehead, Paisley and St Enoch shopping centres during February.
Jointly produced by Renfrewshire and Glasgow Child Protection Committees, the sixty-second long infomercial highlights the different forms of abuse suffered by young people.
Jointly produced by Renfrewshire and Glasgow Child Protection Committees, the sixty-second long infomercial highlights the different forms of abuse suffered by young people.
But the short film also broadcasts a clear message that it is everyone's job to help protect children from child abuse.
The film will run on a 16-screen, high-definition videowall for a week at Braehead, Paisley and St Enoch. Over that time it is anticipated the infomercial will be screened 500 times at each venue. Child protection staff will also be in the centres to hand out leaflets to let people know how they can report their concerns and to conduct a survey on public awareness of the issue.
Tim Huntingford, chair of the Renfrewshire Child Protection Committee, said: "Children can't protect themselves. The adults have to do it for them. Relatives and neighbours can all play their part."
"We must create a climate where people feel comfortable to report their concerns."
"We must create a climate where people feel comfortable to report their concerns."
"Social workers or the police often don't hear about abuse until it has reached an advanced stage. Everyone must be more willing to express their concerns if we are going to prevent serious abuse."
Gillian Buchanan, the lead child protection officer for Glasgow, believes it is essential to raise awareness of child abuse and what people can do to help.
She said: "We all have a shared responsibility to protect the vulnerable children in our communities. As the film says, protecting children is not just a job for social workers or the police - ordinary people have a clear role as well. Information can be passed on anonymously and that has to be better than risking harm to a child."
Child protection committees bring together social work, police, health services and other agencies to address the issues faced by vulnerable children in a local authority area. Both Glasgow and Renfrewshire have their own child protection committees.
Their job is to make sure that there are no gaps between child protection teams in the various agencies and that everyone works together to reduce harm and give vulnerable children the best possible chance in life.
You can view the infomercial at our child protection site area.
Press release: Thursday 14 February 2008
