Prevention measures for child abuse are being driven forward by Richmond Council and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, in an attempt to protect more children from harm.

As part of the new initiative, Preventing Child Sexual Abuse – Making it Everybody’s Business, the joint venture will provide specialist training for multi-agency staff across London.

Attendees will learn about sexual abuse and abusers and the ways agencies can work together and with the public to protect children.

As part of the project, children’s service Stop it Now! England brought together probation officers, foster carers, social, education and health workers and youth and community officers to co-ordinate and deliver their preventative efforts on Friday, January 20, at the Children’s Workforce Development Training Centre in Twickenham.

Director of Stop it Now! Donald Findlater said: “As adults we all have a responsibility to protect children from harm and the best way to do this is to prevent abuse from happening in the first place. Children can be protected if we have increased knowledge of child sexual abuse issues.”

The council’s cabinet member for education, youth and children’s services, Councillor Christine Percival, said: “Professional development workshops like this event support Richmond practitioners to explore the signs and indicators of sexual abuse and learn how to take preventative action collectively.”

For advice, call The Stop it Now! campaign’s helpline on 0808 1000, or for more information on safeguarding training contact Anita Bhangoo on 020 8487 5134 or visit richmond.gov.uk/workforce_development.

For further information, visit parentsprotect.co.uk.