Shining a light on the Talk PANTS campaign

The NSPCC Talk Pants campaign to help protect young children from sexual abuse is continuing in the county.

A display has gone up at the Northlight Gallery in Stromness and a short film will be shown ahead of film screenings within the Pickaquoy Centre cinema.

A number of other displays and events are planned – more details to come at a later date.

The campaign was launched in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles by NSPCC Scotland and the islands’ protection committees recently.

The partnership was set up to deliver the campaign, which gives parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children about sexual abuse. With the help of a colourful animated character, called Pantosaurus, it helps children understand that their body belongs to them and to recognise when something is not okay and how to tell someone.

Each public protection committee will have local PANTS champions, who will be trained to deliver the campaign messages and resources to other professionals and families through webinars and workshops. A PANTS guide for parents has been translated into Gaelic for distribution in the Western Isles.

Events will also be held on each of the islands to promote the campaign materials, which as well as guides for parents, include a British Sign Language PANTS video and a Pantosaurus film. There are also resources for teachers to use in primary schools.

Parents and professionals can find out how to Talk PANTS. The adult guides include ones for foster carers and parents with learning disabilities.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice.