Podcast series gives voice to families where children are exploited

Child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has partnered with Pepper Dawes Media to produce a new podcast series to help others spot the signs of grooming and exploitation.

The charity is working with Sally Pepper, CEO of Pepper Dawes Media and a former BBC presenter, to produce the podcasts, which give a voice to families whose lives have been affected by child exploitation, including online grooming, sexual exploitation and County Lines.

The main characters are parents and grandparents from the region, whose children have become the target of manipulative criminals.

They talk anonymously about their experiences and the support they received from Safe and Sound.

The podcast series also includes an interview with Fiona Moffat, managing partner of Timms Solicitors, which supported the project.

In her podcast episode, she explains the family law system, which many children, young people and families end up in as a result of child exploitation.

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of Safe and Sound, said: “We have been sharing the written stories of young people and families on our website and social media channels, but we wanted to give our parents the opportunity to talk openly and honestly about the impact of child exploitation on their families.

“Podcasts are a very powerful tool to tell these kinds of stories. Sally Pepper’s interviewing skills and empathy have given parents a voice so they can help others on their journey to help themselves and their children.

“The experiences of the parents we support show how devastating child exploitation is for the entire family.

“They also stress that authorities must listen to parents as they are part of the solution rather than being seen as part of the problem.

“The overriding theme emerging throughout the podcast series is that child exploitation can happen to any young person – regardless of their age, gender, social or cultural background.

“It highlights the manipulative and predatory nature of criminals who manipulate young people online and in real life for their own ends, leaving them with no way out.”

Sally said: “Since I left the BBC to set up Pepper Dawes Media, I have

some great conversations with all kinds of companies and organizations about creating engaging content that appeals to the right audience.

“I feel honored to have had the opportunity to interview these brave and resilient parents and grandparents, whose lives have been turned upside down by criminals and who are doing everything they can to ensure no one else goes through what they did.

“We are already in discussions about how we can also give a voice to some of the young people that Safe and Sound supports, which will resonate with their peers and emphasise that they are not to blame for what has happened to them and that there is support available to help them move on with their lives.”

Fiona said: “Family law proceedings can be very confusing and sometimes scary for families, especially when protective orders are needed. But I hope my podcast will reassure parents that there is support available.”

The podcast series begins with Karen Ritchie, Family Support Worker at Safe and Sound, who shares the experiences of parents and the challenges they have faced.

The podcasts can be found at https://www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/safe-and-sound-podcasts/ .