Swindon Safeguarding Partnership

Is there a specific focus for this #LookCloser campaign?

Our theme is around the link between exploitation and missing. 

Why is the focus on missing?

For many years, evidence has shown a clear correlation between children and young people who experience missing episodes and children and young people who experience exploitation.

But while discussions about the link between missing and exploitation are not new, those working in the sector report that missing episodes are still frequently met with professional fatigue, victim blaming, and that they are not recognised as a significant indicator of exploitation and abuse.

Combined with this, poor information-sharing about known risks, vulnerabilities and past experiences of exploitation means that efforts to find and safeguard these children and young people are not always sufficiently prioritised.

As a result, their need for further support can be overlooked unless they make a direct disclosure of experiencing exploitation during a missing episode. Changing this is not the responsibility of one agency, but one shared by everyone working with children and young people whose attitudes and practices shape the way they are seen and responded to and this is what we are seeking to emphasize with this campaign.

How can I get involved in #LookCloser?

Go to the Children's Society website where you can:

• download the new missing and exploitation resource for professionals in English and Welsh
• download the new media and social media pack in English and Welsh to raise awareness of child exploitation across your social media channels
• promote #LookCloser digital posters and videos in public spaces, including the new resource for businesses