Sikh Helpline

Grooming Campaign

superadmin 21st July 2014

Grooming Awareness Campaign 2013

With the recent High profile sexual abuse cases related to street grooming gangs the Sikh Helpline is launching a “Grooming Awareness Campaign”. We are aiming to reach as many young people and family members as possible and make them aware of the dangers of street and online grooming. We are aiming to do this by providing information , creating multimedia resources, and encouraging family members and young people to discuss these issues openly so that there is fewer young people vulnerable to these malicious gangs. You can help us by reading the information, sharing it with others, doing a presentation in your local area and above all speaking to young members of your own family so they can be aware.

As Sikhs we beleive in a saying from our scriptures “treat other women as your mothers, sisters and daughters accordingly” So it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of young girls regardless of their race, religion or colour as they are also someone’s daughter or sister.

 

What is Street Grooming?

Street grooming refers to the deliberate befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child in preperation for sexual activity or exploitation. It can also involve the use of gifts, alcohol and drugs to lower the childs inhibitions. The children are then pimped out and blackmailed with naked photos or threats of violence towards family members.

 

Why is it hard to recognise?

Victims often dont realise that they are victims of sexual exploitation until its too late. Victims often form an emotional bond or beleive they are in a relationship with their abusers. Emotional blackmail, threats to family members and and abusers control over the victims lead to them never reporting incidents of abuse and suffering in silence.

 

Awareness Tools

The following tools have been prepared to enable you to raise awareness, please feel free to download and share. TOOLS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

  • Awareness Leaflet
  • Presentation
  • Awareness video
  • Online Safetly Checklist

 

Other Resources

Here are other great resources that you an tap into to raise awareness.

  • Awareness Leaflet
  • Presentation
  • Awareness video
  • Online Safetly Checklist

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For Young People

Raising awareness about grooming is key, in order to prevent the exploitation of more children. Anyone has the power to raise this awareness. The Sikh Helpline grooming awareness campaign, making resources readily available to people who want to raise awareness on the issue. These resources can be found on and downloaded from the Sikh Helpline website.

  • Distributing awareness leaflets is an easy way to make people aware of the issue
  • You can do an informative presentation in your religious center or any place permitting
  • You can spread an awareness video online
  • Online Safety Checklist
  • Just start talking about it

 

For Parents / Carers

As a parent it is essential to make your child aware of the dangers and potential risks. Stay alert to any changes of behaviour in them. Family discussion on the topic is very important. As well as raising awareness with your child, you also have a crucial part to play in being able to recognise any exploitation that may be taking place.

  • Look out for any changes in behaviour, such as staying out late, not returning home, or spending a lot of time on the internet.
  • Understand the risks of your child being online, and put in parental measures reduce these risks.
  • Be aware of the friends your child keeps, in particular older friends, or relationships where there seems to be a power imbalance.
  • Stay alert to any physical signs of abuse like bruising, and be aware if your child is receiving any unexplained gifts.
  • Be aware of how your child is doing at school, and whether they are disengaged or even attending.
  • Look out for unexplained or inappropriate sexual behaviour. Be aware of any self-harming or present disorders.
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