The evaluation of the year–long Nightwatch programme, carried out by a team of University of Bedfordshire academics, details how the pilot scheme has raised awareness among nearly 17,000 night time workers about how to spot children and young people who may be vulnerable and also to understand how to help keep them safe from potential abusers.

The independent evaluation - PDF 882.1 KB published today (Thurs 8 December) by the International Centre: researching child sexual exploitation violence and trafficking at the University explains how the programme was effective in raising awareness among night-time economy workers and exceeded its targets in the numbers of areas and businesses contacted.

Over the course of the pilot in 12 different areas of England, staff in pubs and clubs, fast food outlets, hotels, Accident and Emergency hospital departments, public transport hubs and other places open at night were trained to be more aware of the dangers facing children and young people after dark.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “With more people out and about in the festive season, the signs of sexual exploitation could be more easily overlooked. But this project has created a vital network of eyes and ears after dark.

“We want all night-time workers to be aware of the dangers and play an active role in protecting children and young people from sexual abusers.”

Kate D’Arcy lead evaluator for the University of Bedfordshire said: “The implementation of Nightwatch has resulted in increased confidence and awareness amongst night time workers around the issue of child sexual exploitation. It has helped night time workers to identify child sexual exploitation. The report also includes examples where children and young people have been safeguarded from exploitation and abuse.

“We hope these findings can inform future community awareness raising strategies.”

Barnardo’s specialist child sexual exploitation services ran the innovative project and provided classroom based learning, outreach work in the community and sessions on reporting concerns to the police.

Attendees said they felt more empowered and would do things differently after the training:

• Hotel staff leader: “I’ve seen things that I would usually have turned a blind eye to as I didn’t know what I would do before. I have the confidence now to question my staff and a couple of situations we have reported to 101.”
• Pub landlady: “The training really opened my eyes and helped me know what to do and how to handle it. It makes you stop and think. Training gave me a lot more confidence and I have reported a concern to the authorities.”

One success following the training was how CCTV operators worked with the police to locate a potential perpetrator. A missing young female was found in the back of the vehicle, and the driver was arrested for grooming, child abduction and theft.

Barnardo’s was funded by the Department for Education to deliver the free tuition so night workers have the confidence to report signs of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• This scheme ran up to the end of March 2016 and delivered across 12 sites across 14 locations in England. Barnardo’s was awarded £736,154 by the Department for Education to deliver the free tuition to night workers.
• The International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking at the University of Bedfordshire was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its pioneering research into child sexual exploitation. This prestigious prize is the highest form of national recognition open to higher and further education institutions in the UK.
• Barnardo's has been tackling child sexual exploitation since 1994 and delivers specialist services in 47 locations. In 2015-16 Barnardo’s worked directly with 2,486 exploited or at risk children in the UK compared with 2,125 in 2014-15.
• Barnardo's is the leading agency in the UK providing specialist support to children and young people who are victims of sexual exploitation and internal trafficking.
• Barnardo’s is marking its 150th anniversary in 2016. Thomas Barnardo’s vision was for no child to be turned away from the help they need. During its 150 year history the charity has helped transform the lives of millions of disadvantaged children in the UK, and continues to help families to build a better future.
• Last year 248,000 children, young people, parents and carers were supported by Barnardo’s through more than 996 services across the UK, such as young carers, care leavers, foster carers and adoptive parents, training and skills or parenting classes. Visit www.barnardos.org.uk to find out more. Registered charity No. 216250 and SC037605.

Breakdown of the night time economy sector and number who received training