Every day children are subjected to exploitation. The effects this can have on their lives and their family’s lives are devastating and irreparable. NWG are a national charity dedicated to helping combat child criminal and sexual exploitation and modern slavery.
Did you know that 35% of all recorded sexual crimes in England and Wales in 2012/13 (53,540 overall) were child exploitation of under 16s. More than one in three of the children sexually abused by an adult kept their horrific secret to themselves. Four out of five children who experienced sexual abuse from someone they knew, were too terrified to speak out.
We help over 530 organisations (and growing), reaching thousands of professionals all determined to give the right support for victims, with the focus on deterring and stopping child exploitation.
It’s difficult work.
Many of the people we work with were victims themselves, or personally know people who have been victimised. Some of the cases we have supported are unbearable to discuss, horrifying fact. But our work in delivering regular forums, training events and surgeries that help to tackle the many forms of child exploitation contribute widely to the fight in deterring, raising awareness and helping professionals understand the best course of action.
Whether you are already managing the strategic or operational response within your area, providing the research and validated learning from past cases, developing provision or resources, everyone is aiming to improve the outcomes for young people and their families – we’re so proud to have connected such passionate individuals.
The NWG Trustees oversee the work and ensure that initiatives respond to issues as they emerge from the networks’ direct contact with young people. The NWG plays a vital role – we are the linchpin that drives the development of policy and practice in the field and we can’t do this without the support of generous people like you – thank you.