The film is part of a powerful campaign and e-learning package created by The Children’s Society which was commissioned by The Department of Health and supported by NHS England to help all health care professionals to spot the signs of child sexual abuse and know how to encourage young people to talk about it.

The film centres on the story of a young teen called Tyler who has been sexually abused by a member of his family for many years and is worried his younger brother may be next. We see Tyler coming into contact with a number of potential professionals who could help him but time and again they fail to spot the signs. It is the actions of a kind and patient radiographer who eventually gives Tyler the time and opportunity to tell his story.

Seen and Heard launched in July last year and has already trained thousands of health staff to detect child sexual abuse and continues to be rolled out to healthcare locations across the country. Although the hour-long learning programme focuses on staff working in the health service, it is relevant to anyone who works with children and is freely available to all.

The Children’s Society appointed White Boat TV to produce the film which was developed with the help of over 100 young people, some of whom were victims of sexual abuse. Last year the film also won Best Commissioned Film at the Haelo Film Festival Awards, which recognise the best in public sector films.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “We are delighted that our film won Gold in the Training category at the Evcom Screen Awards. One in 20 children in the UK has been sexually abused and many do not feel able to report their abuse or it goes unnoticed or misunderstood.

“We’re pleased that our film and training is helping healthcare professionals including receptionists, doctors, nurses and anyone who works with children to help them recognise the signs of abuse so children are seen and heard and they get the protection and support they deserve.”

Catherine Davies, Team Leader for tackling child sexual abuse at the Department of Health, said: ‘I would like to congratulate The Children’s Society for their award winning film, which is a really useable learning resource to raise awareness of child sexual abuse.’

Lisa Cooper, Regional Lead for Safeguarding for NHS England North, said: ‘We are delighted to have been a partner in the development and promotion of this work to all health staff. This film is helping all health staff to recognise and support children and young people at risk of or experiencing child sexual abuse, so as to provide support, advice and protection.’

The charity film entitled ‘See. Hear. Stop the Abuse’ won Best Commissioned Film at the Haelo Film Festival Awards, which recognise the best in public sector films. The film is part of a powerful campaign called Seen and Heard to help health professionals spot the signs of child abuse and know how to make children feel able to speak about what is happening to them.

One in 20 children in the UK has been sexually abused. Many do not feel able to report their abuse and too often it goes unnoticed or the signs are misunderstood. The Government has declared child sexual abuse one of the greatest threats facing the UK today.

The Department of Health commissioned The Children’s Society to make the video and e-learning course based on the powerful story of a young boy called Tyler, which launched in July this year.

The charity appointed White Boat TV to produce the film following Tyler who is ready to disclose the seven years of abuse he has suffered from a close family member. We see Tyler coming into contact with a number of potential people who could help him but time and again they fail to spot the signs. It is the actions of a kind and patient radiographer who eventually gives Tyler the time and opportunity to tell his story. The film and hour-long learning programme was developed with the help of over 100 young people, some of whom are victims of sexual abuse.

Famous faces from the soap world including Tina O’Brien, Alan Halsall and Oliver Farnworth have backed the Christmas song entitled ‘A Christmas Miracle’ that is released on Friday 2nd December on iTunes for 79p, as well as on other platforms, with all proceeds being donated to The Children’s Society.

Teachers and students at The Blackpool Sixth Form College have composed and produced the song. Ten schools from across the Fylde coast of Lancashire joined up with Blackpool Sixth Form students and a number of community music groups and local companies to record the single.

The song makes use of the Christmas story to deliver a hopeful message about how people can act together to ‘turn the world around’. The focus on child poverty has a particular relevance in Blackpool where the percentage of children living in poverty is 30.6% (against a national average of 21.4% and a North West average of 19.2%*).

Schools across the UK are also being sent the sheet music and have been asked to get involved on social media tweeting their versions of the song along with the #BeTheMiracle hashtag so raise awareness nationally.

The Children’s Society campaigns on many issues that affect disadvantaged children and the money raised will support the charity’s work to improve the lives of the most vulnerable 10-18 year olds across the county. The charity also runs services in Lancashire and across the country for and children on the streets affected by sexual exploitation, those missing from home and advocacy services and early family support.

The Children’s Society’s Chief Executive, Matthew Reed, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled that The Blackpool Sixth Form College and so many schools and community groups in Lancashire have teamed up to launch this this uplifting song to raise awareness and support vulnerable children this festive season.

“Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for so many young people and we are truly grateful to everyone involved in putting this single together and also those who buy it. Funds raised from this single will help us continue our vital work with children and young people who have nowhere left to turn.”

Blackpool Sixth music teachers Ash Goodinson and John Stevens teamed up with English teacher, Steve Spencer, to create the song.

The film is part of a powerful campaign and e-learning package created by The Children’s Society which was commissioned by The Department of Health and supported by NHS England to help all health care professionals to spot the signs of child sexual abuse and know how to encourage young people to talk about it.

The film centres on the story of a young teen called Tyler who has been sexually abused by a member of his family for many years and is worried his younger brother may be next. We see Tyler coming into contact with a number of potential professionals who could help him but time and again they fail to spot the signs. It is the actions of a kind and patient radiographer who eventually gives Tyler the time and opportunity to tell his story.

Seen and Heard launched in July last year and has already trained thousands of health staff to detect child sexual abuse and continues to be rolled out to healthcare locations across the country. Although the hour-long learning programme focuses on staff working in the health service, it is relevant to anyone who works with children and is freely available to all.

The Children’s Society appointed White Boat TV to produce the film which was developed with the help of over 100 young people, some of whom were victims of sexual abuse. Last year the film also won Best Commissioned Film at the Haelo Film Festival Awards, which recognise the best in public sector films.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “We are delighted that our film won Gold in the Training category at the Evcom Screen Awards. One in 20 children in the UK has been sexually abused and many do not feel able to report their abuse or it goes unnoticed or misunderstood.

“We’re pleased that our film and training is helping healthcare professionals including receptionists, doctors, nurses and anyone who works with children to help them recognise the signs of abuse so children are seen and heard and they get the protection and support they deserve.”

Catherine Davies, Team Leader for tackling child sexual abuse at the Department of Health, said: ‘I would like to congratulate The Children’s Society for their award winning film, which is a really useable learning resource to raise awareness of child sexual abuse.’

Lisa Cooper, Regional Lead for Safeguarding for NHS England North, said: ‘We are delighted to have been a partner in the development and promotion of this work to all health staff. This film is helping all health staff to recognise and support children and young people at risk of or experiencing child sexual abuse, so as to provide support, advice and protection.’