Student film looks at the reality of online grooming
18th March 2021 – Tags: Media Learning Company
A group of students on the Media Learning Company course at City College Norwich have produced a documentary looking at online grooming and some of the key signs to look out for.
The short film, produced by Olivia Carrick, Jake Dye and George Davy, includes interviews with Norfolk Police and The Rose Project, and a dramatisation that shows how online sexual exploitation can begin.
The film was made for the Magdalene Group in Norwich and is one of many commissions produced by the Media Learning Company, which gives students the unique experience of running their own media production company whilst gaining a Foundation Diploma.
Media Learning Company student Olivia Carrick, 19, one of the co-presenters in the short film, said:
I learnt that child exploitation is very prevalent. It is something that happens regularly and it can happen in so many more ways than you might think. It was interesting to learn about as well as troubling.”
Jake Dye, 18, who mainly worked on the editing of the documentary, adds:
I hope that other young people watching the film will see that child exploitation can happen to anyone, that no one is really safe from it. It's important to protect yourself as much as you can and be aware of the signs that someone could have harmful intentions.”
George Davy, 18, who co-presented and wrote the script, commented:
The documentary has provided me with the insight to delve into sensitive topics in order to better prepare me for my future career in journalism.”
This year’s Media Learning Company is called Lighthouse Media and you can see more of their work at https://www.lighthousemedia.org.uk/
Help and support
If you are a child or young person and you are worried or upset, talk to an adult you know well and trust.
If you don't have anyone you can talk to, you can call ChildLine for free. You can talk about any problem and there will always be someone there to help you. Call 0800 1111 or online via www.childline.org.uk
If you concerned you are being exploited online, report this directly to CEOP via www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre (you can report this anonymously)
For more information about online exploitation, visit the CEOP 'Thinkuknow' website at: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Find out more about the services provided by The Rose Project and read their booklet for children and young people about Child Sexual Exploitation at: https://magdalenegroup.org/rose-project/
Parents and carers can visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre's (CEOP) 'Thinkuknow' website at: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/ for more information.
If you are concerned about someone’s behaviour towards your child, you can report this directly to CEOP via www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre.
Parents and carers can also visit the Norfolk Constabulary website for further information and links to support and advice services at: https://www.norfolk.police.uk/advice/child-protection/child-sexual-exploitation