In response to yesterday’s court verdict covering the child abuse and murder of four-year-old Leticia Wright in Huddersfield, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, Executive Director of UK volunteering charity, CSV, said:  “Ordinary citizens are keen to help prevent child abuse, and this is why a network is needed to help protect children, such as pilots being successfully pioneered in Bromley and Sunderland. New research shows the powerful impact that carefully matched citizens can contribute.

“Local residents should be valued as the antennae of social services, respecting their local knowledge and common sense. Volunteers have the luxury of focus on a single child’s needs, whereas social workers have an extensive caseload. We need a new partnership between professionals and citizens.”

The CSV Volunteers in Child Protection project in Bromley and Sunderland was created by CSV in the wake of the death of Victoria Climbié and other children, and is part funded by The Monument Trust. It has received the backing of the Climbié family.

The scheme is currently being independently evaluated by Professor Jane Tunstill, an Emeritus Professor of Social Work, formerly of the Royal Holloway College.

Issued Saturday 11th August 2007

Further press information: Jason Tanner, Head of Press, CSV  07941 433598 / 020 7812 0038  www.csv.org.uk/press
Notes for editors:

1. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Last year 227,000 people gave 5 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 12,705 people of all ages. www.csv.org.uk

2. In California volunteers supporting families where children are being abused have reduced the level by 83% over four years Minicucci Associates,  “California Alliance for Prevention, Executive Summary, Third Year Evaluation Report”, (Sacramento, Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento, 2004)