Organisations across the borough are pledging to stand together to keep Rotherham’s children safe.
Businesses, voluntary groups and public bodies are making a commitment to lend their support to the Rotherham Standing Together Against Child Sexual Exploitation campaign, which was officially launched at the New York Stadium on Monday, 24th November, 2014.
The first organisations to pledge their support have already committed to raise awareness and understanding amongst their staff and volunteers, and to make a public pledge to stand against child sexual exploitation.
Andrew Denniff of the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce said: “It has been a very difficult few months for our town. Now is the time for us to move forward together to ensure that what has happened to our town can never be repeated, demonstrating the strength of our community and our determination to keep Rotherham’s children safe. And we all have a role to play.”
Joining the campaign is simple. To send a message that Rotherham stands united against child sexual exploitation, and find out more about the crimes and how to prevent them just go to www.rotherhamstandingtogether.org.uk and sign up. You will then be sent further details of how your organisation can become involved.
By joining the campaign, you will:
• Take a stand against child sexual exploitation in Rotherham
• Show your public support for the pledge by displaying the pledge sticker, including details of how anyone can report concerns
• Making sure your staff or volunteers understand how child sexual exploitation can happen - and know how to report it
Voluntary Action Rotherham’s Shafiq Hussain said: “Now is the time to move forward as a community to ensure that we stand together and we are doing the very best for our young people.
“In Rotherham we must continue to be vigilant, and together, we all have a responsibility to protect our young people from such harm.
“By standing together we’ll keep Rotherham's children safer.”
Cllr Chris Beaumont, Cabinet member for Children and Education Services, said: “We know that the council has work to do to make sure that our Children’s Services are fit for purpose. We’ve made a start, brought in new management, and we will do whatever we need to do to make sure that our services are right. But on our own that won’t be enough to tackle child sexual exploitation. That’s why I’d urge all Rotherham’s business, voluntary organisations and groups to join with us in this fight and take the pledge.”
Anyone who is concerned about a child or young person should contact Rotherham’s Children’s Services team on 01709 823987 (336080 outside office hours). To report suspicious or potentially criminal behaviour people should contact the police by dialling 101 (999 in an emergency).