The DVD uses specially commissioned animation to engage a young audience and is suitable for children between the ages of 6 and 16 and presents situations, characters and a landscape that is readily recognisable as a diverse community in contemporary Britain.
Julie Walters says "I believe by promoting understanding and education to parents, carers and children in how to recognise the early signs of grooming, before abuse happens, is vitally important, and the most effective way to help reduce the numbers of children abused every year. The aim is prevention, not to scare, but enabling everyone to become more aware, and therefore protect themselves."
Using a village back drop and featuring nine real-life case histories including scenarios at home, in school or on the sports field to show how children can become the victims of abuse - physical, sexual and bullying. It also emphasises how parents, teachers, youth workers, and sports coaches, indeed anyone working with children can do something positive to overcome these dangers.
Even the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith commented on Sky News that she believed the DVD could help to protect children from predators who operate online. "I think anything that helps children and their parents to feel confident about knowing the potential risks from being on the internet and being able to resist those us a good thing," she told Sky News.
The DVD is available to purchase online at www.matters2me.org or at Woolworths.
