In just over 25 years we have given to our children maybe the most insecure,
dangerous, intolerant and stifled childhood in more than a century.
We knew what was happening
We saw young lives exploited, abused and harmed around us every day
But we chose to be silent. And in our silence we condoned everything that was done to them.
The years of childhood are irreplaceable
They are not just a few passing pages in the calendar, they are the essential foundations upon which every child has to build the life-long learning, self-confidence, well-being and social skills that will define their whole future as successful, caring adults.
This precious time in every child’s life hangs on the fragile threads of safety, innocence and freedom that are essential if they are ever to discover who they are, their world around them and the possibilities of their life ahead.
If children lose their childhood they lose their future.
Children trusted us to protect them and guide them through childhood.
We betrayed their trust.
They lost their childhood.
We watched while the foundations upon which their childhood depends were callously targeted by individuals and organisations for adult benefit. We said nothing.
We could see their safe, free, open childhood systematically taken from them. We walked away.
One of the most glaring consequences of turning our back on childhood is obviously the appalling Gang Rape of thousands upon thousands of children. That we knowingly allowed to continue for decades.
But, as horrendous as those acts were, appallingly they are only one example of countless predictable, frightening consequences that we have given to our children to grow up in and they now must face – on their own – every day
They face soaring harassment, abuse, violence, rape, stabbing and death across their streets, playgrounds, schools and communities
The insidious, malign, toxic 24 hour social media relentlessly destroys their privacy, innocence and safety; 70% are victims of Cyber Bullying
They are targeted and exploited by predatory adults, groups and organisations at their most vulnerable age
They are sexualised, corrupted and abused from their earliest years. On-line child abuse images have doubled in 20 years
They are surrounded by street crime and ensnared into criminal gangs in what should be their safest times
1 in 4 have a mental disorder. Children on anti-depressants has surged by 41%. We see an alarming rise in self-harm, anorexia, dysphoria, dangerous obesity…
Suicide has become their greatest cause of death, escalating 56% in 10 years and tripling even for 10 to 14 year olds
The highest number of children in care ever recorded where 11% vanish. And 50% of all missing persons are children
Their once broad, open, learning-based teaching and foundational values are being subverted by transient, narrow, rigid indoctrination that stifles their potential
They face record levels of classroom violence and intimidation. They can even experience intolerance, hate and anger in those who should be their role models
The natural curiosity and trust of childhood is exploited by adults for adult gain
The vital certainties and boundaries of childhood, heritage, culture and identity are being erased
The innate bond between parent and child is being eroded to be replaced with unaccountable adults
The stability of childhood is being lost to spiralling family breakdown; 43% of those born in 2001 had to grow up in it
Individuals and institutions who were entrusted and rewarded to keep children safe walked away from them when they should have stood by them.
They even shielded and supported the very people who were actually exploiting and abusing them.
What on earth have we done ?
How can we ever Give Children Their Childhood Back?
In only be one way and only one word TOGETHER.
Individually we may care deeply, yet we feel powerless.
But, just stop for a minute and imagine how we could transform the life of every child, across generations, if we could simply come together and act as one.
If everyone who is sickened at what we see being done to our children every day just stood up and spoke out together, we could be the voice they should have had.
We would be a voice that is louder and stronger than those who seek to exploit, abuse or harm them and that could no longer be ignored. A voice that will clearly and steadfastly put children and their childhood first again. If we are to succeed –
We must Campaign at every opportunity for the right of every child to enjoy a safe, free and open Childhood again
We must Confront every individual and organisation whenever they seek to exploit, abuse or harm them
We must Call to Account those in positions of power, responsibility or duty of care every time they fail them or betray the trust that we we placed in them
Whilst the aim may be simple, I under no illusions about the scale of the challenge and the commitment it will be demanded of all of us, over years. But we must never let that be the excuse not to try.
For there are things that we can do in weeks that could directly change the lives of every child for years and would begin to rebuild those vital foundations that they depend upon to discover themselves, their world and their future, in safety.
We must do this not only because they are the most vulnerable members of our society but because they are our future.
If we are ever to rebuild their trust again, we must begin today
Put and keep Childhood consistently at the top of the political agenda in all that we do and say
Take back control of the narrative from those who for years have used it to normalise exploitation and harm
But before we can do anything we must build the voice that will be heard
Please lend them Your voice and your ideas and make a difference to THEIR today
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We will never share or sell your information.
Anything you can donate, even just a cup of coffee a month, will really help to make a difference today.
Please share this with everyone you know who cares
Help stamp out the evil, dishonest, inhumane phrase that is “Grooming Gangs”
Help stamp out the evil, dishonest, inhumane phrase that is “Grooming Gangs”
“Grooming Gangs” is a phrase that is solely designed to protect rapists, to belittle the utter horror that they put their child victims through and to absolve the institutions who failed to protect them.
It cynically uses one of the most compassionate of words in the English language to whitewash one of the vilest of crimes imaginable – the systematic, cold, relentless gang rape of a helpless child.
“Grooming” is also factually and legally dishonest. It deliberately conceals the crime. The crime was never “Grooming”. The crime was Child Rape.
“Grooming” is a positive, considerate act that decent people do for those they care about. It has been hijacked to rebrand this terrible crime and to dismiss the life-changing damage that thousands upon thousands of children have had to endure.
Those children deserve more than that. Please respect them for what they have been through and eliminate this dishonest phrase today. We must only use the factual, legal definition of the crime from now on.
It is easy to let this pass, but if we are ever to give children their childhood back we have to act.
This will only take minutes, but could change lives for years.
Please put an end to this phrase today
Copy and send this to anyone you hear using or supporting this phrase. Ask them to stop
Share this with those you know who also care
Each day we do nothing, is another day we will make those children pay the price for our silence.
Thank you for caring.
Every day we remain silent, is yet another day that we choose to allow more children to be harmed.
Give Children Their Childhood Back Ltd
Company Number 16615563