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CHECK IT OUT! BODY PIERCING AWARENESS - RAISING CAMPAIGN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE There is some great work going on in Sheffield to produce sound advice for young people and their parents/carers, to keep young people safe by informing them of the risks of body piercing. Since the summer of 2006, the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) has been working in close partnership with Christina Anderson of Dan Aid and Meg Munn MP, to make people aware of the risks associated with body piercing. The Safeguarding Children Board became involved after great strides had been made by Dan Aid and Meg Munn MP, who successfully amended the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, allowing local authorities to regulate body piercing outlets in their jurisdiction. This is a significant step forward in terms of safeguarding children, because piercing outlets will be subject to mandatory registration and inspection to make sure basic hygiene standards are met. Since the death of her son Daniel in 2002, Christina has campaigned tirelessly for the regulation of the body piercing industry and she has provided workshops on a voluntary basis to students in local secondary schools, generously sharing her personal experiences and knowledge to benefit children so that they can make informed decisions about body piercing. Over the past year, the Safeguarding Children Board has supported Christina bringing together a range of expertise PSHE teachers, school nurses, body piercing practitioners and the Health Protection Service to produce a local publicity campaign providing young people and their parents/carers with impartial advice about body piercing. During the next few weeks, over 70,000 information leaflets, posters and contact cards will be distributed to children via PSHE lessons, Connexions, GP/Health Clinics, SHED and piercing outlets. The Sheffield awareness raising campaign was launched at The Hubs on 25th May 2007 at an exciting and passionate event presented by BBC Radio Sheffield DJ, Andy Kershaw that involved students from local schools who said they had had fun and no doubt learned something on the day! NEXT STEPS? The Dan Aid campaign is organising a petition to take to the Prime Minister with a view to urging the government to proactively encourage all local councils to act on their powers to regulate body piercing premises. The Safeguarding Children Board will continue to work in partnership with Christina Anderson, to produce a PSHE education pack that can be delivered by teachers in local secondary schools. It has been a rewarding experience working with Christina Anderson, Meg Munn MPs office, Graham Martin (Thou Art Piercing Studios) Michelle Garrigan (Sheffield City Council Health Protection Service) who have all shared their knowledge and time - demonstrating that in Sheffield, safeguarding children is paramount! Julie Hague Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board |
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| Julie Hague from the SSCB has been working closely in partnership with us over the last 12mths to help promote the need for greater control and standards in the body piercing industry. As part of her work with the SSCB Julie's role is all about protecting and safeguarding children |
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| WOW! We presented our petition to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown at Number 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 24th June 2008 The petition is urging Gordon Brown and his Government to enforce the new Bylaw across the whole of the UK through all the local Health Authorities to help regulate the Body Piercing Industry. |
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