Child Sexual Exploitation And Inappropriate Use Of Social Media Highlighted In The ‘Risking It All’

North Wales Police and the North Wales Safeguarding Board have worked in partnership to deliver a pilot project which sees teenagers at secondary schools across the region view an interactive drama that tackles issues that can cause great concern to them and their families. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Child Sexual Exploitation, alcohol and substance misuse along with the inappropriate use of social media are all highlighted in the ‘Risking it all’ drama which is being delivered by 2engage Performing Arts Company. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Having started on Monday (March 14) at Connah’s Quay High School, the interactive performance will continue its tour of a further five High / Secondary schools across North Wales in Flint, Holyhead, Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Prestatyn and Darland High School in Wrexham. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The purpose of the drama is to raise awareness of these issues and to ensure that young people know what help and support is out there and how they can access the services should they or a friend need to,” said Detective Sergeant Sarah Fellows. “Child Sexual Exploitation CSE) is a key strategic priority for the North Wales Safeguarding Board and North Wales Police and we work closely to protect and prevent young people in the area from becoming victims of CSE. The delivery of ‘Risking it all’ is just part of this work which we hope will help raise awareness.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The drama uses three real life stories to relay the impact that risky behaviour can have. While watching the production, the young viewers also get the opportunity to openly discuss the risks taken by each of the characters and the possible consequences. It is only once the discussions have taken place amongst the pupils themselves and a cast member do the teenagers get to see the fate of characters Julia, Ben and Mason. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sara Lloyd Evans is the Business Manager for North Wales Safeguarding Board and said: “Around 175 Year 9 pupils saw the drama on Monday and the feedback so far has been very positive. The pupils we spoke to thought the themes were relevant, they enjoyed the theatre forum and believed it was a good way of presenting the issues raised in the drama.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We hope that we will be able to continue with this work and roll out a similar production next year to all 54 high schools across North Wales.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sara added: “I would like to thank the individual schools for agreeing to take part in these productions and in supporting the work of the North Wales Safeguarding Board.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC said: “This is a hard-hitting drama with a very important message, about the importance of keeping young people safe. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“For that reason tackling Child Sexual Exploitation is a key objective of my Police and Crime Plan for North Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Young people these days are also faced with a multitude of other risks and anything that helps point them in the right direction so they can steer the right course in life is to be welcomed.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​