Greens' pledge on child protection

Written by Pete Goodwin Monday, 26 April 2010

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The protection of children will be a priority for Bristol's Green Party parliamentary candidates. All six of them have pledged support for an NSPCC appeal to make sure that child protection services are improved in the wake of horrific recent cases of abuse.

The move was welcomed by Tess Green, who has herself worked in the front line of the child protection services, and is standing in the local elections as Green candidate for Southville

tessgreenTess Green said:

"The mainstream parties all want to make deep cuts in public services, so it's vital to have people in the Commons and in the council chamber who'll speak up for the most vulnerable people in our communities.  MPs, as well as councillors, must be brave enough to challenge the cuts.  We're confident that all our Green candidates have that courage, and of course we wouldn't have to defy our own party."

"The NSPCC has always provided vital protection for children at risk, and real help as a  partner for local authorities.  Their 6- point pledge lists key measures to improve protection for children and to help victims, and we're glad to support it"

The charity’s Diana Sutton, head of the public affairs and campaigns unit at the NSPCC, said: “We need to make sure that the next elected Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities. By signing up to our campaign, candidates in this next general election can help.  The public can play their role by letting the politicians know what they want done.”

Notes:

1.  The 'I Stand For Children' pledge commits successful candidates to support:
  • Making the internet safer for children
  • Continued funding of helpline services for children and for adults concerned about the safety or welfare of a child
  • Tackling domestic violence from a child's point of view
  • Ensuring that vital child protection reforms are fully implemented and resourced, following the death of Baby Peter and other child deaths since
  • Provision of resources for vital therapeutic services for children who have experienced abuse
  • Strengthening the role of the children's commissioner in England to act as a genuinely independent voice for children.
The full pledge details are here
2.  Bristol's Green Party general election candidates are:

Contact:
Tess Green, 0117 377 2070
Pete Goodwin, Press Officer, 01275 543280