Signed video highlights child exploitation dangers

The Royal School for the Deaf Derby has produced a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted video in partnership with specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound.

The video feature students from the Ashbourne Road school who sign the question-and-answer scenarios that raise awareness among the deaf community of child exploitation.

Neil Gorse, the school’s deputy head for care and guidance, said: “We have been working with Safe and Sound for the past two years and both recognised that there was a huge gap in the BSL resources available around child exploitation.

“The fact that our students do the signing in the video is very impactful for other young people and families in the deaf community and they have been a huge help with the production of this video.

“This video demonstrates the importance of BSL interpreted resources which are increasingly becoming mandatory following the recent approval of the BSL Act.”

Mr Gorse said that all young people, including those who are hearing impaired, were potentially vulnerable to grooming and exploitation.

He said: “We have worked hard to raise awareness of the dangers of exploitation and of online grooming in particular and our students are very good at alerting us when they are contacted by people that they don’t know who are potentially a threat.”

Safe and Sound chief executive Tracy Harrison said: “Around a third of the children and young people who we support have special educational needs and we greatly value the partnership work that we have undertaken with The Royal School for the Deaf Derby.

“I hope that this resource will be shared far and wide so that young people and their families in the deaf community have equal access to the resources that they need to recognise the danger signs of grooming and exploitation and know where to turn for protection and support.”