All children and young people have the right to be safe and protected.
A new campaign has been launched to encourage everyone in Inverclyde to ‘Speak Out’ if they have a suspicion about child neglect or abuse. The campaign aims to challenge members of the community to put themselves in the child’s shoes and to ask themselves ‘if I am worried about passing on my concerns then how much worse must it be for a child who is being abused or neglected?’

Inverclyde’s Community Health and Care Partnership Director, Brian Moore, said: “Children from any background can be victims of abuse or neglect. It affects both boys and girls, from babies to teenagers. I would urge anyone with a suspicion that a child is at risk to talk to someone about it. You can talk to a teacher or health visitor or you can make a call to either the social work department or the police. Don’t leave it too late.”

The campaign image of the campaign encouraging people to ‘Speak Out’ will be displayed in prominent sites throughout Inverclyde. Postcards providing useful contact numbers will be available through health centres, social work offices and other council buildings. If you shop at Morrisons you will also find the contact numbers printed on the back of your till receipt. And, for the first time, the campaign will take to airwaves with real life stories aimed at encouraging the few people who have concerns to come forward and speak out.

For more information about protecting children visit www.inverclydechildprotection.org or www.childprotectionscotland.org

Twitter users can share the campaign message using #speakout