SENEDD Members from across the political divide have backed an NSPCC campaign aimed at helping to keep children safe from abuse.
Politicians joined NSPCC Cymru and their friendly dinosaur mascot, Pantosaurus, on a visit to the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday, November 12.
Pantosaurus was meeting Senedd Members during Wales National Safeguarding Week, to highlight the NSPCC’s new Talk PANTS Cymru Week which takes place from January 27.
The week, organised by NSPCC Cymru, will focus on supporting parents, carers and professionals to have simple and age-appropriate conversations, that can help them keep children safe from sexual abuse.
Rhys Beaven, Local Campaigns Officer at NSPCC Cymru, said: “The idea of holding Talk PANTS Cymru Week is to highlight how Talk PANTS can support everyone with caring responsibilities to help keep children safe.
“Sharing messages to help keep children safe from child sexual abuse might feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
“Talk PANTS has been created specifically, with the help of parents and professionals, to make sure these conversations are as easy and appropriate as possible for children.
“I’d like to thank Senedd Members for taking the time to learn more about this important campaign.”
The NSPCC has free bilingual lesson plans and resources to help children understand in an age-appropriate way that their body belongs to them, they have the right to say no and they can speak out if anything does not feel right.
Information sessions for professionals are being held in the run up to the week, providing an opportunity to learn more about Talk PANTS resources and how to use them.
The NSPCC is encouraging parents, carers and teachers to go online and check out its free Talk PANTS resources.
The PANTS acronym was created to give parents an easy way to approach the subject. It stands for:
- Privates are private
- Always remember your body belongs to you
- ‘No’ means no
- Talk about secrets that upset you
- Speak up – someone can help
Talk PANTS has already supported more than 1.5 million parents to talk to their children about sexual abuse in an age-appropriate way.
While it is never the responsibility of a child to keep themselves safe from sexual abuse, talking PANTS with the assistance of Pantosaurus helps children recognise when something is not okay, and how to tell a safe adult who they trust.
To learn more about the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign and the Underwear Rule, visit the charity’s website and search for ‘Talk PANTS.’
For more information about Talk PANTS Cymru Week email [email protected].
