We are all responsible for keeping kids safe

Nov 11 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

IN A SAD reflection on life in Perth and Kinross over 100 children were victims of abuse in the county last year.

Ranging from sexual abuse to neglect, 109 under-16s suffered at the hands of others in the Big County.

Those 109 were brought to the attention of child protection agencies in Perth and Kinross and registered with the authorities, but it is not known how many continued to suffer cruelty in silence.

A pivotal role in bringing light to the end of the tunnel for abused youngsters and detecting those responsible is played by the public protection team based at Perth police headquarters.

The 10 specially trained detectives there work closely with other agencies to investigate all cases of abuse against children and vulnerable adults. The team also tackles domestic abuse, deals with sex offenders and implements youth justice measures.

Detective Chief Inspector Bruce Kerr, in charge of Perth and Kinross’s Criminal Investigation Department, summarised: “The team are there to deal with and support the most vulnerable in society.”

Every child across Perth and Kinross should be safe from harm, but for 109 youngsters local agencies had to step in to protect them from abuse and neglect last year.

Although sexual abuse is the ill-treatment which grabs most headlines and minds, it accounted for 11 of the 109 cases.

Most children, 46 of those registered, were found to have suffered physical neglect, which the Perth and Kinross Child Protection Committee explained in its annual report: “This directly reflects the increase in domestic abuse, substance misuse and complex needs.”

A quarter of the youngsters registered in the last year had suffered physical injury, while another 24 of their peers had encountered emotional abuse.

Reports raising concerns about local children come from various sources including teachers, health workers and police officers.

But head of the local Public Protection Unit, Detective Inspector Steve Bissett, explained everyone has a role to play in protecting the people of Perth and Kinross.

“It is not just down to the authorities to look out for kids, it’s everybody’s job to make sure they are alright.

“If people do have a concern regarding the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult they shouldn’t turn a blind eye to it,” he appealed.

“If they are worried, let us know and we will take a look. In many cases if abuse is not dealt with properly it can have serious consequences for a child now and for the future,” warned the senior officer.

DI Bissett explained in some situations it only takes a little help from social care teams to change things for the better, but in other cases more drastic action is required.

The most extreme, but rarest, route of action is to remove a child from his or her home and take them to a place of safety.

“Removing a child is the last thing anyone wants,” said DI Bissett.

“The child must be a risk of significant harm before steps are taken to remove the child to a place of safety.

“Every alternative possible would have been considered to see if the child can be kept safely in the family environment,” he stressed.

The police work very closely with teams within the council’s social work, education, criminal justice and housing and community care departments and the health authorities to ensure the best possible solution for each child referred.

They investigate all types of child abuse including physical, sexual and emotional and neglect, and situations which arise where parental behaviour, such as drug or alcohol abuse, lead to issues with a youngster’s welfare.

Children rarely say if they are being harmed, but adults will often see or hear things which cause concern about a youngster’s care, welfare or safety and they are being urged to speak up.

Child Protection Services urge everyone to help keep children safe and stressed: “It is not an option to do nothing or to assume someone else will pass on the information.”

To contact the Children's Services Protection team call 01738 476768 or telephone the Public Protection Unit on 01738 892912

Legal protections in place for adults at risk

A similar process is now underway to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.

It is an area which the agencies have recently added new focus to, offering adults at risk a similar level of protection and help as youngsters causing concern.

A vulnerable adult is someone who is aged 16 and over; unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests; is at risk of harm, be it physical, psychological or unlawful; and their disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity makes them more vulnerable to being harmed than other adults.

DI Bissett explained: “This is about safe-guarding the well-being of vulnerable adults.

“For a long time we’ve had a protocol in place for vulnerable adults but now there is legislation to better protect adults at risk of harm.”

Anyone concerned a vulnerable adult may be at harm is urged to contact the Public Protection Unit.