Page 45 - link magazine

.com The Link Magazine • April 2001 45

Stamping out racism in schools Protecting children from abuse
New guidelines to promote racial equality in schools have been The problem of child prostitution in Swindon is being targeted by
issued by Swindon Council and were discussed at a conference at the child welfare agencies who have launched an information leaflet,
beginning of March. called Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation.
The new Guide to Promoting Ra- "unless schools mainstream race
The guide encourages parents and people
cial Equality in Swindon Schools was equality and ensure all students
working with children to look out for signs '-
produced as a result of the have the opportunity to learn and that a child is being drawn into prostitution
Macpherson Report's recommen- fulfil their aspirations, they will and act at the earliest opportunity.
dation that LEAs have a duty to not meet their duties." Cases of child prostitution are jointly in-
create and implement strategies in Swindon Director of Education vestigated by Police and Social Services who
their schools to prevent and ad- Mike Lusty said, "this document take the approach that the children are the
dress racism. The guide stresses provides the background for teach- victims of sexual abuse and that the adults
the importance of defining a racist ers in schools which should help abusing them should be held responsible. 0
incident as 'any incident which is turn the rhetoric of equality of op- They currently have concerns for the safety
perceived to be racist by the victim portunities into reality. It is a ma- of over 30 young people in the town. •" M ^'"' ,

or any other person.' jor contribution to what we are Contact details for support agencies are
Jaginder Bassi, Director of Swin- seeking to do in education in Swin- listed in the leaflet which is available from
don Racial Equality Council said, don."
libraries and doctors surgeries.
Swindon Police child protection officer Jackie Barstow with the leaflet
Well Woman news update
The future is looking healthier for the Well Woman Centre follow-
ing a successful fund raising campaign. Based at the Health Hydro
in Milton Road the centre offers a variety of services for women.
The next menopause support Medical sessions for women:
group meeting takes place on • Mondays, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Wednesday 18 April, 5.30 to (including family planning)
7.30pm with a question and an- • Wednesdays,12.30pm to 2.30pm
Sharing views about race issues. Afew who attended the conference, from left, swer session. In May, guest speaker (free creche available).
David Messenger, head of Windmill Hill primary; multi-cultural education, Helen Schofield will give a talk
advisor Daphne Knock; Freshbrook School governor Phil Rashid; Ian Bennett, entitled 'Dispelling the myths: a Staff and volunteers are happy
head of strategic services at Swindon Council's education department; Sheila healthy menopause'. to visit community groups to talk
Parsons, national network coordinator for Community Services in Education The centre still needs volunteers about the work of the Well Woman
Education for Citizanship; Jaginder Bassi, director of the Swindon Racial for its listening service and to help Centre. For details about any of
Equality Council; Erica Holley, assistant headteacher at Greendown School out on Monday evenings. the above call 511064.

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