Your child’s safety net

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre works all across the UK, tackling child sex abuse wherever and whenever it happens

 

On-line child sex abuse, whether it is chat-room grooming, distribution of illegal images or any other form of attack, cannot and should not be separated from off-line consequences. People who prey on children whether for personal pleasure or other illegal gain do it in a way that exploits any possible opportunity. Any response must similarly be all encompassing.

This is the principle that lies at the heart of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. Launched in April 2006, the CEOP Centre works across the UK and maximises international links to deliver a holistic approach that combines police powers with the dedicated expertise of business sectors, government, specialist charities and other interested organisations – all focused on tackling child sex abuse wherever and whenever it happens.

That means working with parents, young people and children to safeguard their on-line experiences. It includes direct support to victims and their families and involves the relentless tracking and prosecution of offenders. It also delivers free education programmes to schools to help children of all ages stay safe on-line and is active in sharing best practice with the wider child protection community through a number of training initiatives.

Intelligence is the central thread that runs throughout the organisation. Whether it is the need to understand how the criminal mind works or how sex offenders strive to exploit all situations or whether it is more about working with children and young people in order to reach and safeguard their on-line experience, everything the CEOP Centre does is driven by knowledge first and targeted action second.

All of this means that the CEOP Centre is unique in the UK. It is a law enforcement organisation, but with a very different approach. It is about fresh thinking and working across a wide perspective, co-ordinating action whether it is with local police forces or other relevant bodies and, above all, collectively working with all our partners and stakeholders to stay that vital step ahead of what can be a complex and multi-faceted area of crime.

Parents can register on the CEOP website to receive e-mails each month on internet safety.

Visit: www.ceop.gov.uk

Know what your children are doing on-line and ask them to teach you any applications you have never used

The CEOP guide to using the internet safely The internet is integral to the lives of children. It opens up new opportunities and is now an essential part of their everyday world whether they are using it for homework, to talk with their friends or for a multitude of other uses that are beneficial in so many ways. But where children go then child sex offenders will follow – whether in the real or virtual world – and so it is important that parents understand what their child is doing on-line. Keep computers in a family room, such as a lounge or dining room, rather than in your child’s bedroom. Children are less likely to engage in risky or inappropriate behaviour if they know that their parent will be watching what they are doing. Know what your children are doing on-line and who they are talking to. Ask them to teach you to use any applications you have never used. Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to on-line friends – personal information includes their messenger id, e-mail address, mobile number and any pictures of themselves, their family or friends – if your child publishes a picture or video on-line, anyone can change it or share it. If your child receives spam/junk e-mail and texts, remind them never to believe them, reply to them or use them. It’s not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don’t know. They won’t know what they contain – it could be a virus, or worse, an inappropriate image or film. Help your child to understand that some people lie on-line and that therefore it’s better to keep on-line mates on-line. They should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust. Always keep communication open for a child to know that it’s never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable. Teach young people how to block someone on-line and report them if they feel uncomfortable. For more information, visit: www.thinkuknow.co.uk

 

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