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| Campaign bid to protect children | Campaign bid to protect children |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A national campaign aimed at preventing child abuse or neglect has been launched by the Scottish Government. | A national campaign aimed at preventing child abuse or neglect has been launched by the Scottish Government. |
| The campaign urges people to call a dedicated helpline to report fears about the safety and welfare of vulnerable children. | The campaign urges people to call a dedicated helpline to report fears about the safety and welfare of vulnerable children. |
| The hotline will provide a link to child protection services, and has been branded the "fourth emergency service". | The hotline will provide a link to child protection services, and has been branded the "fourth emergency service". |
| Children's groups said they hoped it would encourage people to report their concerns. | Children's groups said they hoped it would encourage people to report their concerns. |
| A scheme piloting the Child Protection Line has already been running in parts of Scotland. | A scheme piloting the Child Protection Line has already been running in parts of Scotland. |
| We hope this one line, where people can go and have a trained caller take their call and point them in the right direction, will make a difference Addie Stevenson Aberlour Childcare Trust | We hope this one line, where people can go and have a trained caller take their call and point them in the right direction, will make a difference Addie Stevenson Aberlour Childcare Trust |
| Concerned people can report a range of behaviour, from seeing children wandering alone at night to cases of physical abuse - including where parents are neglecting children through drink or drug abuse. | Concerned people can report a range of behaviour, from seeing children wandering alone at night to cases of physical abuse - including where parents are neglecting children through drink or drug abuse. |
| The service is now being advertised across the country as part of the two-month campaign, with advertisements in local press and radio as well as posters in places such as GP surgeries, libraries and sports centres. | The service is now being advertised across the country as part of the two-month campaign, with advertisements in local press and radio as well as posters in places such as GP surgeries, libraries and sports centres. |
| Adam Ingram, minister for children and early years, who visited a family support centre in Fife to launch the drive, told BBC Radio Scotland the government was asking people to take responsibility. | Adam Ingram, minister for children and early years, who visited a family support centre in Fife to launch the drive, told BBC Radio Scotland the government was asking people to take responsibility. |
| "Children find it hard to speak up about their own cruel treatment or neglect," he said. | "Children find it hard to speak up about their own cruel treatment or neglect," he said. |
| "That's why we are asking responsible adults, either friends or family, relatives or neighbours, to do just that." | "That's why we are asking responsible adults, either friends or family, relatives or neighbours, to do just that." |
| Taking responsibility | Taking responsibility |
| The helpline will be manned by trained professionals who will filter out hoax calls and requests for information. | The helpline will be manned by trained professionals who will filter out hoax calls and requests for information. |
| When a caller is put through after that process, a "robust" risk assessment will be made. | When a caller is put through after that process, a "robust" risk assessment will be made. |
| Chief Constable Colin McKerracher welcomed the launch | |
| Children's groups said they hoped the helpline would encourage friends, relatives and neighbours to come forward. | Children's groups said they hoped the helpline would encourage friends, relatives and neighbours to come forward. |
| Addie Stevenson, the chief executive of Aberlour Childcare Trust, said: "The public, friends, families, often want to ring us and pass something on, but it's very daunting. | Addie Stevenson, the chief executive of Aberlour Childcare Trust, said: "The public, friends, families, often want to ring us and pass something on, but it's very daunting. |
| "We hope this one line, where people can go and have a trained caller take their call and point them in the right direction, will make a difference." | "We hope this one line, where people can go and have a trained caller take their call and point them in the right direction, will make a difference." |
| Grampian Police Chief Constable Colin McKerracher, who is chairman of the north east of Scotland child protection committee, welcomed the launch of the campaign. | |
| "I hope that the public will become increasingly aware of the Child Protection Line over the weeks and months ahead," he said. | "I hope that the public will become increasingly aware of the Child Protection Line over the weeks and months ahead," he said. |
| 'Real opportunity' | |
| "If people become more confident in letting us know about children who they suspect may be at risk then they create a real opportunity for the victim's suffering to be alleviated through the intervention of professionals. | "If people become more confident in letting us know about children who they suspect may be at risk then they create a real opportunity for the victim's suffering to be alleviated through the intervention of professionals. |
| "We understand very well that many people are put off reporting their concerns because they do not know who to contact." | "We understand very well that many people are put off reporting their concerns because they do not know who to contact." |
| He added: "Please do not think it is a waste of time and that your concerns will not be listened to. By calling the helpline, you could well be making a big difference to that child's life." | He added: "Please do not think it is a waste of time and that your concerns will not be listened to. By calling the helpline, you could well be making a big difference to that child's life." |
| There are more than 2,500 children on child protection registers in Scotland, and as many as 160,000 youngsters are reported to be currently living with drug or alcohol abusers. | There are more than 2,500 children on child protection registers in Scotland, and as many as 160,000 youngsters are reported to be currently living with drug or alcohol abusers. |
| Figures released in July showed that almost 7,000 addicts who are prescribed with the heroin replacement methadone had children under 16 living with them. | Figures released in July showed that almost 7,000 addicts who are prescribed with the heroin replacement methadone had children under 16 living with them. |
| Ministers have previously said the problem of child neglect is one of the most serious facing Scotland. | Ministers have previously said the problem of child neglect is one of the most serious facing Scotland. |
| The Child Protection Line 0800 022 3222 is open 24 hours a day. | The Child Protection Line 0800 022 3222 is open 24 hours a day. |