Welcome to the wider world

As the internet becomes a part of everyday famil life, Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the UK’s first centre dedicated to tackling child sex abuse, talks about on-line safety for children

Another member of the family has joined millions of households worldwide,” says Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the newly formed Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. “And yet, for many of us we don’t recognise this new member – although for our children, it has often become a close friend, and in many ways a confidant with whom they will spend many hours and often share lots of information.

‘The internet is this mystery new addition. Think about it. As a parent myself, I know just how much the on-line world has become part of my children’s everyday life. Sure, they play games, follow education packages and search out new trends or information, but we ignore a very important development in our children’s upbringing if we don’t also recognise the internet as opening up a whole new world, a very new public place, where they can talk to people, share details of their lives and often turn to and share concerns or news, whereas once they would have turned to aunts, uncles, mothers or fathers.

“What a great opportunity that opens up – in a few clicks of a mouse – being able to talk to people in different towns and cities, even across borders to the US, Australia or other such great destinations. “But with opportunity comes risk, and that is what we are all about,” says Gamble, who as the head of the CEOP Centre leads the UK’s first dedicated focus for tackling child sex abuse. “We treat the internet just like another street, another playground or another youth club where people go with the very genuine and above board aim of having fun and networking.

“But it is also another tool that the sex offender has, and will latch on to in order to fulfil their needs – their illegal intent. That is a harsh reality, but one that we must all realise if we are to maximise the benefits of the on-line world in the safest and most positive manner. “Certainly, pulling the plug out of the socket at home and turning the PC off is not the answer. Children are resilient and will find ways of being on-line– and why shouldn’t they? It is now such a natural and normal part of their day, and a great place for them to learn, have fun and interact with friends and family. No, the answer is to be aware.

For you as parents to know what your children are doing, when and how, whenever they are on-line and for us to work with you and your children in sharing information, raising awareness and making those necessary safety steps an integral part of the on-line experience.” Gamble speaks from a position of authority. The CEOP Centre was launched in April this year and, for the first time, combines police officers with children’s charities and industry to bring a holistic approach to tackling the horrendous crime of child sex abuse.

“What the CEOP Centre brings is the teeth of law enforcement. Many people in this organisation are police officers who are working to track and tackle sex offenders whenever and wherever they operate. We do that through a number of means, and certainly our message to the perpetrator is get help or get caught – because for you, from now on the internet is no longer an anonymous place.

“However, we would be naive if we thought that catching the criminal was the only way forward. For every new bit of technology it is clear that offenders will look for new ways to exploit that piece of kit or on-line space to fulfil their needs. So we are also working with industry to stay ahead of the game, looking at those new possibilities before they are launched in order to make them safer by design.

“But lying side by side with successful prosecution and safety-proofing future technology is one very vital and indeed fundamental principle: educating children and their parents of the dangers and empowering them so that you can avoid the clutches of the sex offender.” Gamble goes on to explain the very specific and carefully targeted tools that are being produced to help children and their parents understand and respond to the threat in a more positive way.

“My message to any family right across the UK is simple. We have just launched our first on-line education package that is available to everyone with internet access free of charge. “Go home tonight, go on the internet and type in www.thinkuknow.co.uk. Then save it to your favourites – if you don’t know how then your children probably will. Then explore this site with your children. It has been designed with young people very much in mind and indeed children have been involved in telling us how to lay the site out – what words to use and which areas to cover.

“That site will give you and your child the first steps in understanding the opportunities of the internet and the potential dangers that may lurk. “What is more, when it is saved to your favourites it means that the site is never more than a few clicks away and will always be there as a constant and regularly updated reference that will keep you and your family in the know.”

Report abuse

And what about those children or young people who have already had inappropriate approaches from people while they have been on-line. After all, recent figures suggest that a high percentage of children have been approached at some time on issues of a sexual or inappropriate nature.

Parents should explore the opportunities the internet presents with their children – and explain the dangers that lurk there

“Well then, the site helps there too. On the site you will find a ‘report abuse’ button which is available 24 hours a day and through which you or anyone in your family can immediately report any such activity. That report will come to us and we will investigate and take appropriate action.” So, what motivates people like Gamble and his team in working to tackle the horrors of people who prey on children of all ages?

“Child sex abuse is despicable. Indeed, for many people it is a crime so bad that their mind seeks to minimise the impact because the emotional strain is too much, and yet child sex abuse is a reality. “We have to face up to it and what personally drives me, my team and, I am sure, millions of parents right across the UK is that at the end of day we all know children, many of us have our own or see children from our wider families. What better motivation is there than to ensure that every child has the quality of life they deserve?”

 

To find out more about the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre visit www.ceop.gov.uk or visit the dedicated on-line education site at www.thinkuknow.co.uk

 

 

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