A campaign aimed at helping to keep children safe from abuse is being highlighted with a week of activities across Wales this week.
North Wales MS Mark Isherwood is supporting the first Talk PANTS Cymru Week, organised by NSPCC Cymru, with schools, nurseries, professionals and community groups taking part.
Pantosaurus, the charity’s friendly dinosaur mascot, will be visiting a number of schools across Wales and making an appearance on S4C’s Cyw programme, to ensure children are empowered to speak up if anything makes them feel upset or worried.
Mr Isherwood, who attended the successful Talk PANTS Day Cymru last year, where he met Pantosaurus, said:
“This is an excellent campaign which focuses on supporting parents, carers and professionals to have simple and age-appropriate conversations, that can help them keep children safe from sexual abuse.
“Pantosaurus has supported more than six million parents to Talk PANTS and help keep children safe from sexual abuse across the UK since 2013.
“While it is never the responsibility of a child to keep themselves safe from sexual abuse, talking PANTS with the assistance of Pantosaurus helps children recognise when something is not okay, and how to tell a safe adult who they trust.”
Rhys Beaven, Local Campaigns Officer at NSPCC Cymru, said:
“The idea of holding Talk PANTS Cymru Week is to highlight how Talk PANTS can support everyone with caring responsibilities to help keep children safe.
“Sharing messages to help keep children safe from child sexual abuse might feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
“Talk PANTS has been created specifically, with the help of parents and professionals, to make sure these conversations are as easy and appropriate as possible for children.”
The NSPCC is encouraging parents, carers and teachers to go online and check out its free Talk PANTS resources.
The PANTS acronym was created to give parents an easy way to approach the subject. It stands for:
- Privates are private
- Always remember your body belongs to you
- 'No' means no
- Talk about secrets that upset you
- Speak up - someone can help
To learn more about the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign and the Underwear Rule, visit the charity's website, www.nspcc.org.uk, and search for ‘Talk PANTS.’
For more information about Talk PANTS Cymru Week email [email protected].