National Child Exploitation Awareness Day takes place every year on the 18th March. The day is a great way to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation and encourages everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.

Where can I read more? You can find out more about National Child Exploitation Day and download a free campaign pack by visiting the NGW Network website here.

Links to national resources: Child exploitation is a form of abuse that involves the coercion and manipulation of children (up to 18 years of age) into sexual or criminal activity including drug related crime often referred to as county lines.

It can affect any child, regardless of their age, gender or background.

It can and does happen in West Sussex.

We are supporting National Child Exploitation Awareness Day by helping to raise awareness of the warning signs of exploitation through social media channels and a number of learning opportunities.

Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding children and young people. There are a range of ways schools can support National Child Exploitation Awareness Day including:

• Raising awareness of Child Exploitation within the school community

• Talk to your staff about the warning signs of Child Exploitation

• Display the posters around school in key locations

• Signpost parents to information and support

• Engage with #HelpingHands by writing key safety statements or messages of support on your hands. Younger children can engage in our handy Trusted Adults exercise

Support within West Sussex: There is a wealth of information and resources about Child Exploitation on the West Sussex County Council website, including a list of agencies who you must contact if you suspect that a child or young person has been or is being sexually exploited.

For training opportunities, you can visit the West Sussex County Council Learning and Development Service to book your place on various Child Exploitation courses to support you in developing an awareness of what child exploitation is, how to identify it and how you need to respond.

There are a number of NWG webinars about Child Exploitation available to book on their website (charges apply).