WOULD you recognise someone who is trying to groom your child?

A safeguarding event is being held in Dorchester tomorrow to help raise awareness of the issue among parents and guardians, volunteers, safeguarding professionals and everyone who works with or has access to children and young people.

And a Dorset mum who was abused herself as a child, and whose children also suffered abuse, has spoken out on the importance of raising awareness of the issue.

The event at South Walks House aims to help people recognise the signs of grooming, and to let people know how and where to access information and support.

It is so popular that there are no places left – but organisers hope to run a similar event next year.

Marilyn Hawes, founder of child protection charity Enough Abuse, will be the headline speaker at the event. She set up her charity in 2003 after her three sons were sexually groomed and assaulted.

A Dorset mum contacted the Echo to speak out about the importance of the event.

She said: “I’m a survivor and I did not spot the signs when it was happening to my own children. Groomers are clever, manipulative people. The event is about raising awareness, telling people groomers do exist, they need help and often have issues themselves, but it is so important to know the signs.”

The mother added that she and her husband had struggled to come to terms with what had happened to their daughters, but now feels strong enough to speak out to help others.

“The abuse when I was a child is something that will stay with me all my life. It is something that will stay with my children their whole life. But they are survivors. Every day we feel we are not coping, we remember our children’s bravery in speaking out.”

“All we can do now is try and work towards a world where another child does not have to go through this.”

Marilyn said: “We all know a child being abused, an adult who has been and we all know someone doing it. 

“The crime is endemic across society at every level. Ignoring the reality simply plays into the hands of the abusers.” 

The event is organised by the South Western Dorset Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum and is called Crossing the Line. It is sponsored and supported by West Dorset District Council, Dorchester Town Council and the Dorset Domestic Abuse Welfare Committee.

Organiser Molly Rennie said: “Our thanks to Marilyn for returning. People were so impressed with the speech she gave last year and went away with a really powerful message that they were able to share with colleagues. 

“Thanks also to our sponsors and supporters - it’s because of them that we are able to offer this.”