By Graeme Bletcher

A NATIONAL campaign against child abuse was launched at the Aberlour Victoria Family Centre in Kirkcaldy yesterday, by Children’s Minister Adam Ingram.

The eight-week drive to raise awareness of Scotland’s child protection line will cost around £250,000, spent on phone box adverts, neighbourhood posters and media coverage.

People with concerns over a child’s safety can now phone the free 24-hour number—0800 022 3222—which acts as a gateway, directing the call to the relevant service required.

Mr Ingram said, “I believe that child protection is everybody’s business.

“No young person should have to suffer abuse or maltreatment as they grow up and we must all play our part in stopping it.”

The minister went on to underline that although the number is there to report child abuse, it is separate from the UK-wide Childline service and focuses on adults calling in, rather than children themselves.

“We all have a duty to look out for our young people and this phone line provides an easy and accessible gateway to the child protection services,” he said.

“It’s not always obvious when a child is being neglected or cruelly treated and we know how hard it can be for them to speak up.

“People might be worried about a child with unexplained bruising, a fear of going home, or who is seen wandering the streets late into the night.

“But whether people are relatives, friends, neighbours or just passers-by, they can make a difference if they raise their concerns.”

The Aberlour centre was chosen for the launch as they represent Scotland’s largest children’s charity, supporting over 6000 children, young people and families, through 46 services across the country.

The charity’s chief executive, Addie Stevenson, said, “Helping children in need and protecting children from any form of harm is everyone’s job.

“But that is much easier said than done, as people are unsure about who to contact if they have concerns.

“If a helpline points people in the right direction and helps ensure children who are at risk of any harm are given help, then it must be good.

“What is important is that this new phone line is backed up by a range of services and professionals to provide the right kind of help at the right time.”

Mr Ingram added, “The operators have specific training to be able to handle this type of call which they then pass on to the professionals.”

“People don’t really want poke their nose in to other people’s business, but when you see things that really trouble you it is better to report it than to walk by on the other side.”

Anne Buchanan, chairwoman of Fife Child Protection Committee, said, “This new advertising campaign reminds people to speak up to protect our vulnerable children. People in Fife can play their part by calling the designated child protection line if they suspect a child is at risk.

“All calls will be taken seriously, further information will be gathered and investigation will be undertaken as necessary, to find out if a child is actually at risk.”

Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, said, “Children 1st has campaigned for many years for a child protection helpline to be set up in Scotland.

“Behind this campaign was the reality that many people do not know where to turn if they have a concern about a child.

“A single, national telephone number for people to either report concerns or discuss what kind of action they should take, if any, gives a clear point of contact for anyone worried about a child.”