Crawley MP, Henry Smith, has pledged his support for an NSPCC campaign encouraging parents to talk ‘PANTS’ which aims to help families protect their children from sexual abuse.

Awareness of sexual abuse has risen dramatically since the vast catalogue of assaults committed by Jimmy Savile were revealed last year, with the NSPCC’s helpline experiencing a huge rise in calls.  But while parents want to help their children stay safe from sexual abuse many don’t always have the confidence to explain how.  A YouGov poll conducted recently on behalf of the NSPCC revealed that that half the parents of 5-17 year olds who took part in the survey had never spoken to their sons or daughters about the issue and more than two in five (43 percent) said it was a difficult conversation.

Henry said: 

"As a parent with young kids myself, I know that it’s every parent’s worst nightmare to find their child has been touched inappropriately - and no family wants to think it will ever happen to them. I was shocked to see statistics which show that it happens to one in 20 kids, and nine times out of ten by someone known to the child. So by talking about it, you’re taking the first steps to keeping your children safe.

“Parents need to find a way to make their kids aware of the danger without scaring them, and that's exactly why the NSPCC is promoting the Underwear Rule. It's clear, simple and easy for even young kids to understand. Think of it as a green cross code against sexual abuse. That’s why I’m encouraging parents to learn the underwear rule and talk PANTS with their children.

“In addition, I’m backing the Child Maltreatment Bill in Parliament.  The criminal law on child neglect has not changed in eighty years. In my view there is no ‘acceptable’ level of suffering for children, and yet our laws in the United Kingdom currently assume that there is. That needs to change - it can’t be the case that the ‘accidental’ neglect of children (that is to say there is nothing ‘wilful’ in the neglect) is not considered a criminal offence, and that no sanctions exist to tackle psychological and emotional child neglect – this is despite expert opinions suggesting that psychological neglect is the most destructive form of abuse.”

The six week advertising campaign will help these parents teach the ‘Underwear Rule’ to their children during simple conversations. The campaign complements the organisation’s ChildLine Schools Service which will be visiting Crawley primary schools advising children on how to stay safe from all forms of abuse.

The campaign provides supportive guidance for parents explaining the Underwear Rule. The NSPCC has developed an easy-to-remember guide – Talk PANTS – that helps children understand the key points of the Rule.

Privates are private.

Always remember your body belongs to you

No means no

Talk about secrets that upset you

Speak up, someone can help

Follow Henry daily via: www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp; http://www.youtube.com/user/HenrySmithMP; or www.henrysmith.info.