A new website which has been specifically designed as a safe space for local young people and their parents/carers to explore issues that might affect them has been launched.
Live Safe (https://livesafe.org.uk) has been designed by the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) and Leicestershire Police. The VRN is a partnership of groups, organisations and communities that aims to prevent and reduce serious violence across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The judgement-free website includes factual information about key dangers facing young people such as grooming, gangs, child exploitation, knife crime, where to get support and ways to anonymously report crimes and concerns.
It also includes information about the well-established ‘Make a Stand Against Violence’ campaign which informs young people how to take action and look after their friends.
The website launch has been supported with a digital targeted social campaign informing young people across the city and two counties of the resource.
The website and social material have so far had more 879,000 impressions, engaged with over 223,000 young people under 25 in local communities with social messaging engaging 5,550 click throughs to discover more.
Strategic Director of the Violence Reduction Network, Grace Strong, said: “We understand that it can be difficult for young people to talk openly about violence and find accurate and relevant information.
“This website therefore aims to break down the barriers in accessing information and clearly signposts them and their parents/carers on where to turn for advice and support.
“We welcomed working with the communications team at Leicestershire Police who researched and collated information from across the network for the new digital platform.
“The Live Safe website has already been well received by partners and the social media campaign supporting the platform is significantly increasing engagement with young people across our local communities.
“We hope that this will become a valuable tool for schools and youth-focused organisations, families and for young people themselves to open conversations about the dangers they face and the potential consequences of violence.”
Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Drummond from Leicestershire Police Violence and Complex Crime Unit – Partnerships continued: “As well as presenting information in a non-emotive or judgemental way, Live Safe does not shy away from addressing the impact that violent crime has on their own health and wellbeing as well as their friends, family and local communities.
“We’ve been working alongside the VRN to support the project with help from some of our subject matter experts as it is incredibly important to us to ensure that young people have access to the safety information and advice they need, on a platform that’s suitable to them.
“Furthermore, we would always encourage everyone including young people and parents/carers to talk to us about any of their concerns and know that we are here to support.”
A partnership toolkit has been created for any organisations to promote, use on their websites and support their work with young people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The website will also be further developed with young people with future plans to include a section for professionals.
For more information visit https://livesafe.org.uk