Podcast series gives child exploitation families a voice

Specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has teamed up with Pepper Dawes Media to produce a new podcast series to help others recognise the signs of grooming and exploitation.

The charity has partnered with Pepper Dawes Media director and former BBC presenter Sally Pepper 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.

They feature local parents and grandparents whose children have been targeted by manipulative criminals.

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

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

In her podcast episode, she explains the family law system, which many of the children, young people and families become part of due to the child exploitation.

Tracy Harrison, chief executive at Safe and Sound, said: “We have featured the written stories of young people and families on our website and social media channels but were keen to give our parents the opportunity to speak openly and frankly about how child exploitation has impacted their families.

“Podcasts are a very powerful way of telling these stories and Sally Pepper’s interview skills and empathy has helped give a voice to our parents so that they can help others on their journey to get help for themselves and their children.

“The experiences of the parents we support highlights just how devastating child exploitation is on the whole family.

“They also highlight that authorities need to listen to parents as they are part of the solution rather than being regarded as part of the problem.

“The overwhelming theme that comes out in the podcast series is that child exploitation can happen to any young person – regardless of their age, sex, social or cultural background.

“It highlights the manipulative and predatory nature of criminals who groom young people online and in person for their own ends in such a way that they cannot see a way out.”

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

some incredible conversations with all sorts of companies and organisations about creating compelling content that engages with the right audience.

“I am honoured 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 keen to ensure nobody else goes through what they have.

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

Fiona said: “Family law proceedings can be very confusing and sometimes frightening for families – particularly when safeguarding and protection orders are required but I hope that my podcast will reassure parents that support is available.”

The podcast series starts with Safe and Sound’s family support worker Karen Ritchie outlining some of 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/ .