The Power of Know campaign has been created by young people in North East Lincolnshire to raise awareness that child exploitation happens in their area. It highlights that we all have a role to play in spotting the signs and raising concerns if you see something that doesn’t look or feel right.

A series of posters and cards have been produced featuring local photography showing a range of scenarios where young people are at risk, such as a friend introducing them to an adult, traveling without adult supervision during unusual hours, being out in the community in isolated spaces, and being messaged by adults through social media.

In addition to increasing awareness of these and other signs of grooming and exploitation, the message behind the Power of Know is that whatever your concern, help is available.

If someone is in immediate danger call 999.

If you have seen something that suggests a child is a victim or linked to ‘grooming’ or ‘county lines’ please raise your concerns:

• in North East Lincolnshire, you can call Children Social Care on 01472 326292 (option 2)
• in North Lincolnshire, you can call Children’s Social Care on 01724 296500

Or, you can call Humberside Police on 101.

If you want to anonymously discuss concerns about grooming, sexual or criminal exploitation you can speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, share information via Fearless or call the Childline on 0800 1111.

If you think this could be you, you can speak with somebody in confidence at: https://www.kooth.com/

Or speak with Young & Safe youth workers who are out and about in Grimsby and Cleethorpes every Monday – Saturday.

Contact a member of the Youth & Safe team on twitter or Facebook:

https://twitter.com/youngandsafe21

https://www.facebook.com/icanNEL/

More information and options are available here.

You can request access to printed materials by calling 01472 325252 or emailing youngandsafe@nelincs.gov.uk 

The Power of KNOW is part of the ongoing Aware Project ran by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Young and Safe Team supported by their current exploitation team – ‘GRAFT’.

The project raises awareness of issues around child exploitation, children missing from home and risks and challenges young people identify they are faced with. This follows two interactive films cowritten and produced by young people: