Community Respect Award recognises quality of work by charity organisation

Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity, Safe and Sound, has been presented with a Community Respect Award as part of the city’s celebrations to mark the national Dignity Action Day.

The Community Respect Awards recognise community and voluntary sector organisations across the city for their ongoing commitment to promoting and delivering services in a safe, dignified and respectful way.

The presentation to Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison and charity trustee Sonia Rafferty was made by the Mayor of Derby Cllr Robin Wood and the independent chair of Derby Safeguarding Adults Board Allan Breeton which leads on the awards.

Safe and Sound were recognised for their robust safeguarding procedures to ensure that young people, vulnerable young adults and families whose lives are affected by exploitation are protected and supported in a safe environment by highly trained staff and volunteers.

The charity supports more than 200 young people every year who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation as well as their wider families and see first-hand the devastating effects of both online and in person grooming and abuse.

Tracy Harrison explained: “We take very seriously our responsibilities to protect and support young people and families whose lives have been affected by exploitation and we are honoured that the high quality of our work has been recognised in this way.

“Any child or vulnerable young adult can be the victim of exploitation – whether that is sexual, county lines, modern slavery, trafficking or radicalisation and we are proud to be the city and county’s specialist charity helping those at risk and victims to move forward with their lives.

“As well as supporting young people and families, we are committed to giving them a voice within our organisation and across our network of partners to raise awareness of the issues and effects of exploitation in our local communities.”

For more information about the work of Safe and Sound and how to support them, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk