Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, and her Assembly Colleague, Roy Beggs, have welcomed the unanimous Assembly support for the Ulster Unionist amendment to the motion on the sexual exploitation of children and young people in care.

Mrs Overend, said,

“I am pleased that the Assembly unanimously supported the Ulster Unionist Party amendment to the Motion on the sexual exploitation of children and young people. The original motion called for protection for children and young people in care. However, given that only 20% of children who are vulnerable to exploitation are held in care, the Ulster Unionist Party felt it necessary to open up the motion to include all vulnerable children and young people, and we were encouraged by the cross party support for our amendment.

Ulster Unionist Party Spokesperson for Health, Roy Beggs, commented,

“It is important that all vulnerable and young people given the best protection possible. I welcome the Minister for Health’s pledge to promote a fully independent, expert led inquiry, to ensure that those who are responsible for these odious crimes, the perpetrators, are brought to justice.  This inquiry must be swift, robust and effective. However, although it is important that the recent shortfalls in protection be investigated fully, it is important that we put in place safeguarding and protection strategies that will cover all our young children; it is not just about the children in care. Yes, we need to have a particular focus on them, but we have to ensure that all vulnerable children, particularly those living in our communities, are also adequately protected.”

Sandra, who is the Ulster Unionist Party Spokesperson for Children and Young People, continued,

“We must ensure that all children are protected and safeguarded from the earliest opportunity. This may include educating them from early school years, with clear, age appropriate messages. It is also important that the wider community works to watch for warning signs of abuse, and work alongside authorities to ensure early intervention. We must ensure that those who are exploiting our children and young people know that they are in the wrong.  That behaviour, no matter how or where it is seen to be the norm, must be recognised as being wrong and unlawful.

“In cases of child exploitation, children often initially do not see their relationships with the predators as exploitation, and intervention can come too late. It is important that the work done now is not simply a blame game. More also needs to be done to ensure that the internet cannot routinely used by predators to build inappropriate relationships with vulnerable children. It is important that the Office of the First and deputy First Minister must take seriously my calls to progress the departmental strategy on internet safety.”

“Real leadership must be shown, and measures must be put in place to prevent abuse from happening again. We are here to do what is right for our children and young people, and for Northern Ireland.”