A campaign has been launched to raise awareness and spot the signs of sexual abuse among children this week in Hounslow which will involve talks in primary schools.

The launch coincides with Child Safeguarding Awareness Week which runs from Monday November 21 until Friday November 2) to help people understand more about the issue and associated online risks of grooming and bullying.

Sexual abuse is defined as the manipulation or coercion of young people under the age of 18 into sexual activity.

Hounslow's Safeguarding Children's Board (HSCB) and children's charity NSPCC have come up with seven signs of abuse to be aware of as part of a zero tolerance approach to abuse.

The seven signs of abuse to be aware of are:

  1. Having mood swings and/or self-harming
  2. Chatting online to people they have never met
  3. Withdrawing from family and friends
  4. Having unexplained gifts or money
  5. Being in a relationship or meeting up with an older person
  6. More or secretive mobile phone and computer use or having multiple phones
  7. Sending or posting sexual pictures online

In addition to getting people to speak out against the issue and keeping an eye out for the signs, the safeguarding board will also host talks at local primary schools.

Sessions will be used to raise awareness of sexual abuse, tips on internet safety for children and parents and how to help prevent sexual harm to minors.

Parents can also educate themselves on how to support and protect their children and what to do in case of concerns about a child or young person.

A new leaflet on safeguarding for parents will be handed out during this week too.

Councillor Tom Bruce, cabinet member for education and children’s services at Hounslow Council , said: “We all have a part to play in keeping children and young people safe.

“This type of abuse can happen to any child or young person, regardless of their background quite often.

“We want to ensure the safety of all children and young people in the borough and that is why we have launched this campaign with the NSPCC so that people know what to do if they suspect sexual abuse and to speak out if they have any concerns.”

Anyone with concerns about a child should contact the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 5000; call police on 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency.

The council’s children’s services team can be contacted on 020 8583 6600 or email earlyhelp@hounslow.gov.uk

Find further information about HSCB

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can even set it to receive push notifications for all the breaking news in your area.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android now!