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NWG's Response to the Action Plan
Posted: 24/11/2011
[Updated: 05/12/2011]
> Yesterday we saw the launch of the National Action Plan.
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> Members of the National Working Group for Children and Young People Sexually Exploited (NWG) have campaigned for such a plan following the DCSF Guidance in 2009. We congratulate the Minister for Children, Tim Loughton for the focus on the experiences of boys and girls sexually exploited through a range of methods, young people who’s experiences have long been neglected by many agencies.
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> By failing to recognise their experiences it has been very difficult for many agencies to intervene with good therapeutic responses that enable the survivors to recovery as fully as possible, and therefore leaving many survivors repeatedly let down by services and reluctant to re engage with services again.
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> From today we should see a more joined up approach, learning from good practice and most importantly, the need for a sexual exploitation co-ordinator in each local authority. In my journey around the UK it is very clear the most effective interventions come when there is an established multi-agency team, where barriers in communication disappear, but in some cases even they miss some of the young people in minority cultures, young men and other hard to identify individuals who become involved.
In particular we welcome the opportunity to explore the experiences of survivors who have been through the court process, the added trauma of the journey and the exposure they have to endure. We look forward to working alongside the Ministry of Justice to improve the experience and obtain more positive results in the process.
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> I also firmly believe that all communities alongside statutory sectors have to stand up and develop a zero tolerance of any sexual exploitation they may see or become aware of and work alongside professionals to eradicate as much as possible the abuse of children.
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> I would also like to pass my thanks to James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime & Security, for his support and keen interest in seeing these issues brought to the fore and look forward to assisting in ensuring this action plan is implemented across the country.
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> Sheila Taylor