By Saul Cooke-Black

A new film looking at local experiences of child sexual exploitation (CSE) will be premiered on Thursday July 2 as part of an event to help tackle the issue.

The Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board (GSCB) is hosting a half day conference at the Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, in Cheltenham where a preview of Friend Request will be shown.

The film includes the views and experiences of a number of young people; a parent whose daughter was groomed through social media and extracts from a poem written by a victim who was exploited for sex.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Bean, chair of the GSCB CSE and Missing Children sub group of the GSCB, said: “The conference is an excellent opportunity to update professionals on key local and national issues and shows our continued commitment to tackling CSE.

"The film shares some hard-hitting real life experiences, and we hope it will get young people talking about CSE and where to turn for help if they need it.”

Professionals working with children and young people will attend the conference, which will be delivered by the county’s leading police and safeguarding experts whose job it is to tackle child sexual exploitation in the county.

They will share experiences, discuss national and local initiatives and take part in a question and answer panel.

Friend Request will be made publicly available and shared with schools across Gloucestershire to help them discuss the risks and dangers around issues like online grooming with pupils.

As part of the campaign, the GSCB will also be providing all pupils in Years 7/8 with a keyring that signposts to online information about what to do if they are worried that they or a friend are at risk of being exploited.

Anyone worried about child at risk of sexual exploitation can call the Children’s Helpdesk on 01452 426565.

A new national free, 24-hour, anonymous phone and SMS ‘Say Something’ helpline to disclose information and seek support is also being launched next Monday. The number is 116 000.

Alternatively, concerns can be raised anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.