DAWN CARRINGTON
Cutting the Strings of Child Sexual Exploitation
Barnardo's Puppet on a String Campaign
THE CHALLENGE
An alarming increase in organised gangs targeting vulnerable adolescents for sexual exploitation posed a significant threat to children's safety. Barnardo's aimed to influence the government to prioritise this pressing issue through an urgent action plan.
THE WORK
To address this growing problem, we developed a multifaceted campaign centred around community engagement, media outreach, and direct advocacy:
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Community Engagement: Mobilised thousands of volunteers and supporters to take action, raising awareness about the dangers of child exploitation and the need for government intervention.
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Media Campaign: Utilised press and social media to spread the message widely, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for action.
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Advocacy: Engaged with VIPs and politicians to gain support for the cause, leveraging their influence to amplify the campaign's message.
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Ministerial Report and Launch Event: Organised a high-profile event to present findings and launch the action plan, ensuring visibility and accountability.
THE RESULTS
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Government Action Plan: Successfully influenced the appointment of a minister tasked with implementing an action plan
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Cracking Down on Grooming Rings: The campaign led to the disruption of numerous child-grooming rings, resulting in hundreds of convictions and providing a safer environment for vulnerable adolescents.
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Increased Awareness and Engagement: Engaged a significant number of volunteers and stakeholders, fostering a community united against child exploitation. This included the appointment of new children’s Minister Tim Loughton.