City comes together to launch Plymouth PANTS campaign
Families city-wide attended the launch of the Plymouth PANTS campaign, which will help families and professionals start simple, but vital, age-appropriate conversations with children aged 3-11 in their care about staying safe from abuse.
Pantosaurus, a giant, yellow, pants-wearing dinosaur, made a star appearance at the launch this afternoon (Saturday) and will maintain a regular presence in the city over the next year, helping to promote the #TalkPANTS message through this simple acronym:
Privates are private
Always remember your body belongs to you
No means no
Talk about secrets that upset you
Speak up – someone can help
The public launch of the campaign took place at Plymouth Life Centre, with families enjoying a host of activities, including ‘Beat the Goalie’ with Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, and basketball with the Plymouth Raiders.
Princess Titilade Oni was one of the many parents who brought their children along to the event, and she says she’s pleased that the PANTS campaign has been launched in Plymouth.
“I have spoken to my daughter about PANTS, and how her pants are just for her and that no one should ask to see her pants,” she said.
“We used the Pantosaurus video. It’s simple, it’s quick, it’s easy, it’s catchy, it’s brilliant. My daughter understood that her pants are for herself and she is always telling me ‘Mummy my pants are for me and nobody else’.”
Local Campaigns Manager for the NSPCC, Julie Campbell, said: “We have been overwhelmed and enthused by the support of local families who attended our Plymouth PANTS launch.
“This is a fantastic campaign for the city that will help children know that trusted adults will take action on their behalf if they share a worry or concern with them, and help parents, carers and professionals feel confident in having simple, but vital, conversations with children about staying safe from sexual abuse.”
NSPCC, Plymouth City Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Barnardo’s and Livewell South West supported the event on the day.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People for Plymouth City Council, said: “We already work very closely with the NSPCC and other partners to tackle sexual abuse through the Together for Childhood project so we are pleased to have been able to help launch the PANTS campaign in Plymouth. It is important that we help parents and carers to discuss this subject.
“Plymouth City Council is committed to protecting children in our city and this campaign is a good way to talk about a difficult issue in a language that children are able to understand, to help keep them safe.”
PANTS forms one element of the Together for Childhood partnership that has seen organisations across the city unite, working together to prevent child sexual abuse. The programme is providing help and support for children and their families at the earliest possible stage, and at a community level, to protect children from harm.
A Devon and Cornwall Police car is displaying the PANTS message to help raise awareness of the campaign across the city, with its first public appearance at the launch event.
Chief Inspector Rob Mooney from Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Devon & Cornwall Police are pleased to support this campaign as we aspire to be a child-centred, trauma-informed police service.
“It is vital that the safeguarding of children is at the forefront of all agencies’ work, to ensure that young people feel safe and confident to speak out about abuse and seek help and support where needed.”
As part of the year-long campaign, schools and early years settings are being encouraged to share the PANTS message, while workshops and information sessions for parents and carers, staff, foster carers and other professionals are also available. There is a wide range of PANTS resources available, including tips and suggestions for parents about where, when and how to have conversations with their children about the PANTS messages.
A second launch, specifically for professionals in the health, education, early years & childcare, children’s social care, police and charity sectors, will take place on Thursday 10 October at Manadon Sports & Community Hub.
Together for Childhood sees the NSPCC joining in a partnership with Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board, Devon & Cornwall Police, Livewell South West, Barnardo’s, community groups, children and families, the voluntary sector and schools – with the aim of building a better future for young people and their families by identifying and addressing problems at a local level in a way that everybody understands, to help prevent childhood sexual abuse.
To find out more about the PANTS campaign, visit the NSPCC website.
