“You may be the Only Person they Tell” - #AreTheySafe campaign from NAVCA, Spring 2022

National organisation NAVCA continue their nationwide campaign to tackle the issue of underreporting of safeguarding concerns and encourage VCS organisations and similar agencies to be part of their efforts.

In 2020, the National Lottery Community Fund commissioned the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) to create a campaign to tackle the issue of underreporting of safeguarding concerns, specifically amongst staff, amongst volunteers and trustees in the voluntary sector.

The issue of underreporting of safeguarding concerns was identified because historically people may have seen or heard signs of abuse or neglect but failed to report them, whether through fear of falsely accusing someone of abuse, the consequences on the victim, even because of not knowing what happens next.

NAVCA say the #AreTheySafe campaign is about helping everyone to understand that safeguarding should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, when speaking to anyone – volunteers, colleagues, and even service users.

As reported previously, the aim of the campaign is to remove the stigma of reporting safeguarding concerns so that a greater understanding of safeguarding can be created, as well as encourage people witnessing potential abuse and neglect to speak up and help those who may be in an abusive or neglectful situation receive the support they need: This is important now more than ever and especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected all aspects of people’s lives.

More details about the campaign can be found on the NAVCA website.