New service in London to support children and young people at risk of exploitation
London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has funded a new chatbot service in partnership with the charity Missing People to support young people at risk of exploitation.
The partnership will ensure the Is This OK? chatbot service will offer free and confidential support to young people aged 13- 18 across the capital, via on online chatbot and one-to-one chat with trained support workers. Funding from London’s VRU means that young Londoners who are worried about something that’s happening to them can access the one-to-one chat service 7 days a week from 4pm-11pm daily, with the chatbot and online guidance available 24/7.
Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “We firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable. London’s VRU is committed to working with Missing People and frontline practitioners to ensure that young people can access a safe space through the chatbot Is This OK? to further tackle exploitation.
"I’m really pleased that the VRU’s Young People’s Action Group has worked with Missing People to ensure the chatbot fully engages and reaches young people. It’s crucial that we’re able to provide clear and accessible support for young people and communities when they need it most.”
The Is This OK? chatbot was developed by Reason Digital, working alongside young people to ensure the service meets their needs. Is This OK? Offers a uniquely confidential and anonymous space for young people to share what is going on for them- which has been developed with young people at every stage.
Missing People’s, Sara Rowbotham OBE, the former sexual health worker who famously exposed a child sexual exploitation ring in Rochdale has been instrumental in driving forward the development of Is This OK? and overseeing the successful pilot of the service in eight local areas, which has now been completed. The service is needed now more than ever – with young people facing huge challenges from the cost-of-living crisis putting them at higher risk of exploitation.
Jo Youle, CEO of the charity Missing People. “We are truly grateful for the funding from the London Violence Reduction Unit as it ensures our young people have a safe space to ask those difficult questions and get help. It also gives insight into the serious issues that young people and children are faced with. This safe, secure, and confidential platform gives young people a safe space to speak about and get support on the difficult issues they are faced with."
Access to the chatbot can be found here: https://www.isthisok.org.uk/get-support/