Joyce visits Ammanford child protection project

Assembly Member Joyce Watson has attended a course in Ammanford designed to help parents, carers and guardians protect children from sexual abuse.
Parents Protect! courses, organised by Stop it Now! Wales in partnership with Plant Dewi, help adults spot early signs of sexual abuse in children and worrying behaviour in adults, and act upon concerns for children’s safety.
Mrs Watson attended a session on internet safety at Saron Village Hall on Monday (14 October). The Mid and West AM said:
“Every parent and guardian frets about their child’s safety. What this course delivers is practical tips, advice and tools that can help adults protect children. The discussion included information about online grooming to what behaviour is appropriate for children as they get older.”
Stop it Now! Wales is funded by the Welsh Government, Martin Roberts Children’s Fund, the Community Foundation in Wales, the Waterloo Foundation and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. The Parents Protect Plus! course is made up of one two-hour session per week, for five weeks. Content includes:
• discussion and information around abuser behaviour including why and how people sexually abuse children
• the barriers to identifying and preventing abuse and how to overcome them
• the behaviours and indicators of sexual abuse
• the positive actions parents can take to prevent child sexual abuse
• internet safety
• sexual development in children and young people
• sexually harmful behaviour in children and young people
Stop it Now! Wales manager, Rebecca Morgan said:
“Our Parents Protect! course aim to give protective adults the information and confidence they need to protect children. Tragically, barely a day goes that we do not see or hear a story of abuse. Ensuring parents and carers understand risks, know the signs to look out for in children and adults, and know what to do if they have a concern is paramount to children’s safety.”