MORE THAN 4,250 primary school children across Brighton and Hove have learnt to stay safe from abuse, thanks to the NSPCC.

The children’s charity has been teaching the children about abuse in all its forms and who to go to for help should they ever need it.

With help from Buddy the Childline mascot, the NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe campaign has been delivering essential safeguarding messages in a lively, interactive and memorable way.

Amanda Rocca, NSPCC schools service area coordinator for Sussex, said: “According to NSPCC research, on average two children in every primary school classroom have experienced some form of abuse or neglect.

“But either through fear or a lack of information, most children don’t seek help or tell anyone what’s happening until they’re much older.

“Imagine if you could reach these children when they are young, potentially even before the abuse has started. This would make a huge difference to their lives.”

The NSPCC started delivering Speak Out Stay Safe to empower children at a much earlier age.

The free service is delivered by fully trained volunteers who, through age-appropriate assemblies and workshops, educate 5–11 year olds about the different forms of abuse, such as bullying and neglect, and teach them who to go to for help.

They learn about ‘trusted adults’ that you can ask for help, such as a parent, carer or teacher. They also learn how to contact Childline – either over the phone or online.

When the service was first rolled out the challenge was to recruit and train a strong team of volunteers to go into Brighton and Hove primary schools.

The next challenge is to get more schools signed up to this ground-breaking service.

The campaign links in with the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum and also helps create a strong safeguarding culture within the school.

The NSPCC wants to take Speak Out Stay Safe into every primary school in the city.

To find out more about the campaign or to plan a visit to a school in the Sussex area, contact Amanda Rocca at amanda.rocca@nspcc.org.uk.

Alternatively visit nspcc.org.uk and search for the speak out stay safe service.