A new campaign is being launched to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation in the night time economy in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings.
The campaign launch event will take place tomorrow, March 28 from 12.30pm – 2.30pm at Komedia on Gardner Street in Brighton.
The WiSEUp campaign is a partnership between Sussex Central YMCA’s WiSE Project and Sussex Police. The aim of this campaign is to encourage hospitality staff who work in the night time economy to notify the police if they spot the signs of child grooming or sexual exploitation.
WiSEUp mirrors the National Working Groups “Say Something if You See Something‟ campaign.
“Say Something if You See Something‟ was developed to raise awareness within venues, takeaways, leisure centres, shopping centres & other premises which can be used for the purpose of grooming and/or sexual exploitation. The aim of it is to help staff to spot the signs and most importantly know how to respond.
As part of the ‘WiSEUp’ campaign interactive beer mats and other awareness raising and thought provoking materials have been developed by young people in Brighton & Hove.
A spokesperson for the LGBT Police Team, Brighton and Hove Division, said: “A strand of this campaign caters specifically for young LGBT (lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans*) people, who can be more vulnerable that their straight peers, due in part to receiving little relevant information about safe and healthy relationships. Working with young LGBT people to empower them with the skills and confidence they need is the key. Great to see the Sussex Police Community Cashback scheme used in such a much needed area of work.”
The WiSE Project is a service for 13-25 year olds who are at risk of or experiencing Sexual Exploitation. They can also offer advice and guidance for those working with young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation, offer training to professionals via the LSCB and can offer group work within youth projects and organisations.
For more information or to get involved in the campaign, EMAIL:
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