PARENTS and carers in Cambridgeshire now have access to practical information about how to protect their children from sexual abuse thanks to a new online tool.

PARENTS and carers in Cambridgeshire now have access to practical information about how to protect their children from sexual abuse thanks to a new online tool.

The move by Stop it Now! UK and Ireland comes as more police services join Cambridgeshire Constabulary in operating the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme.

The scheme provides members of the public with a way to check whether people who have contact with their children are a possible risk.

The new online resource - www.parentsprotect.co.uk – was launched on Wednesday (September 29) and aims to raise awareness of what adults can do to protect children. It features a 30-minute learning programme that allows users to work through the issues of child sexual abuse. Topics covered include what is sexual abuse, who abuses children and why, signs to look for in children and adults, how to create a family safety plan and where to go for help.

Donald Findlater, director of Stop it Now! UK and Ireland, said: “While it’s important that parents and carers go to the police with concerns, it is vital they have sound information to protect children at all times.

“There are practical steps adults can take to protect children and this new resource helps them to do that.

“Recognising that someone close to us could pose risk to children is not easy to think about. But if we know what to look out for and where to go for help we are much better placed to protect children from harm.”

INFORMATION: If you have any concerns relating to child protection contact police on 0345 4564564 or contact the NSPCC or the Stop It Now! helpline on 0808 1000900.