In our work with particularly vulnerable youth, children as young as 12 have been victims of child sexual exploitation. Often this is linked to online grooming and gang activity – which have tragically soared during the pandemic.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) lessons are really important so young people can be prepared for the changes they will experience in puberty, and be equipped to make wise, informed decisions about relationships and sex.
“Would you forgive me if I lost my battle with life?”
The text came through late in the night and I didn’t pick it up until the morning.
Thankfully, Dara didn’t lose his battle with life that night but he has been battling with negative thoughts for a long time. And these have increased during lockdown when, for almost a year, Dara has been unable to connect with his friends - or anybody other than his immediate family.
So, what is grooming?
The NSPCC defines grooming as ‘when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.'
They emphasise that anyone can be a groomer - and that grooming can happen both online and in person.
There can be no doubt that the internet has brought new challenges to family life! Understandably, parents and carers can feel overwhelmed and uncertain of what practical steps to take to protect their children, especially when it comes to the easy accessibility of online pornography.
A number of the members of our Esteem network of RSE educators are doing great work around this topic – including Natasha Rees.
Events of the last year, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, and also the racist treatment of East Asians over the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought the importance of race to the forefront, and hopefully, it's here to stay.
Not only did the events last year highlight police brutality but bringing these issues to the forefront also shone a light on the injustices displayed in all systems.
