Friendly dinosaur, Pantosaurus, who helps deliver Talk PANTS campaign messages to young children in a fun and non-scary way
Dear Editor
NSPCC NI is calling on teachers, early years professionals and community leaders in County Antrim and across Northern Ireland to register for free webinars and find out more about Talk PANTS, a campaign aimed at helping children stay safe from sexual abuse.
Running throughout January and February 2025, the webinars will provide information about the campaign and how to access free lesson plans and resources to equip teachers and community leaders with the knowledge and confidence needed to teach Talk PANTS to children aged from 3 – 11.
Talk PANTS also helps adults start simple conversations in a clear, non-scary and fun way, that can make a big difference when it comes to helping keep children safe from sexual abuse.
The PANTS acronym stands for:
Privates are private
Always remember your body belongs to you
'No' means no
Talk about secrets that upset you
Speak up - someone can help
In the run up to the second annual Talk PANTS Fortnight (5th to 16th May 2025), NSPCC Northern Ireland, will be encouraging schools and community groups to use these resources to deliver Talk PANTS lessons and activities.
Throughout the UK, one in three children sexually abused by an adult didn’t tell someone at the time and 90% of children who are abused, are abused by someone they know.
This is why the Talk PANTS campaign is so important.
Rather than putting the onus on the child, with the help of a colourful animated dinosaur, called Pantosaurus, talking PANTS helps children understand, in an age-appropriate, and non-frightening way, that their body belongs to them, that they have a right to safety and to say no, and helps support them to recognise when something is not okay and how to tell someone if they are upset or worried.
If you would like to find out more, register for a webinar, or receive a support pack, email northernirelandcampaigns@nspcc.org.uk
Yours faithfully,
Gavin Campbell
Local Campaigns Manager
NSPCC Northern Ireland