In the “For Kids’ Sake…” campaign, stresses that everyone can play a part to keep children safe. Paying attention and noticing signs that a child has been abused or neglected is critical, as is taking action to get some support for that child or children.
Tam Baillie stresses that it’s essential to do something if you’re concerned about a child’s wellbeing over the school holidays.
“We’re simply asking people in Shetland to be alert for clues that harm has happened. Children can take a long time to say anything if they’ve experienced abuse or neglect, but you can listen carefully, look out for signs or pay attention to signals that there’s a problem. If your gut tells you something is wrong, it’s important not to ignore it. By raising your concerns you might help something worse from happening to a child you know.”
If you see or hear something which isn’t right, or you notice a big change in behavior from a child, Shetland Public Protection Committee says that it’s always better to say something than do nothing. Tam Baillie stresses that it’s so important to raise your concerns:
“You shouldn’t ignore signs that something is wrong. Get help and support by contacting Shetland Islands Council’s social work department on 01595 744420, or 01595 695611 outside office hours. Or, if you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police right away.”
