Leading Midlands accountancy firm Dains have helped kickstart a new appeal launched by Derby charity Safe and Sound – presenting a giant cheque to support its specialist work with young people across the county.
Safe and Sound recently launched is Butterfly Appeal to raise much-needed funds to expand its work to transform the lives of children and young people in the county who are victims of or at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
Dains have raised £2,920 for the Butterfly Appeal after choosing Safe and Sound as their charity of the year. Staff raised money in a number of ways including joining the charity’s ‘September Stomp’, holding cake sales and holding monthly ‘dress down’ days.
Dains Corporate Tax Manager Charlotte Gosling said: “Having heard about the vital work that Safe and Sound do to keep children and young people safe in our local communities, we were keen to adopt them as our chosen charity for the year.
“Many of us have teenage children and the issue of online grooming, in particular, resonates in our own families considering that every young person – whatever their family background, age or culture – is in danger from manipulative predators.
“We are delighted that our contribution will help to kickstart Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal and support Safe and Sound’s work to protect young people across the county.
Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison continued: “CSE is a crime that is uncomfortable to discuss but we are determined to break down the taboos.
“By raising awareness, we hope that more individuals and companies will support the Butterfly Appeal to help us reach all of the young people who are vulnerable to or currently facing sexual exploitation.
“We are therefore very grateful to companies such as Dains who recognise the importance of our specialist work to guide and support young people away from exploitation and back to safety and dignity.”
For more information about how to support Safe and Sound, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk and follow on Facebook and Twitter @safeandsoundgroup or email [email protected]
Also see: Butterfly Appeal 2019
Ends
Picture shows: Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison (second left) receives the giant cheque from Dains.
Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945665; [email protected]
About Safe and Sound and the Butterfly Appeal
Safe and Sound was launched in 2002 and is the only local charity that is totally focused on transforming the lives of thousands of children and young people who are victims or are at risk of child sexual exploitation across Derbyshire.
Safe and Sound’s specialist team provides individual support for children and young people from as young as eight up to the age of 18. They also raise awareness of the issue and the dangers facing children and young people through awareness programmes for schools, organisations, businesses and community groups.
Safe and Sound has launched the Butterfly Appeal #Buildingstrongwings to bring to fruition its vision for expanded services to support young people, families and wider community.
Supporters and ambassadors include the Chief Constable of Derbyshire who has chosen Safe and Sound as one of his chosen charities.
For more information about child sexual exploitation, Safe and Sound Derby and the Butterfly Appeal please visitwww.safeandsoundgroup.co.ukand follow on social media.
About CSE
Safe and Sound’s expertise came to the fore during the 2010 landmark case – Operation Retriever – which was Derby’s first prosecution for child sexual exploitation and abuse. The charity’s specialist team supported every young person affected by the criminal actions of 13 defendants who were jailed in total for up to 22 years for 70 offences.
Child Sexual Exploitation (commonly referred to as CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse and takes many different forms from rape and sexual assault to online grooming and encouraging children to share inappropriate images of themselves.
CSE is a particularly manipulative form of abuse and is also linked to such criminal exploitation issues such as County Lines, gangs, trafficking and modern slavery.
The key factor is that individuals or groups take advantage of young people by manipulating or deceiving them into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants. This could range from money and alcohol to less tangible things such as the attention that they crave at a vulnerable time in their lives.