Sexual abuse of children destroys lives and families. By supporting Barnardo’s Safe and Sound Projects you can help transform the lives of Birmingham’s most vulnerable children and young people and help them overcome the devastating consequences of sexual abuse and exploitation. Project Details: “If it wasn’t for Barnardo’s I would never have realised I’m not a bad person and that no one has the right to treat me the way my step father did” Julie, 13, abused by her stepfather for 4 years Barnardo’s runs two specialist projects located in Birmingham’s City Centre which supports children and young people who have been sexually abused and exploited. These projects help over 300 children and young people from across the city every year to overcome their traumatic experiences and face their future with hope. Alongside this intensive counselling service, Barnardo’s also delivers preventative workshops in schools and to other childcare professionals to help keep more children safe and sound. Without Barnardo’s, hundreds of children and young people will continue to suffer horrific abuse that causes emotional and psychological distress. Barnardo’s specialist care helps children cope with their complex feelings, which otherwise can lead to profound effects such as self harm, depression, eating disorders and long-term trust issues. Some of the children and young people Barnardo’s helps have been raped, sexually assaulted, and have been bruised, burnt and have broken bones. Without Barnardo’s help, some children, overwhelmed by their experiences, may even take their own lives. Barnardo’s dedicated and professional counsellors work with children at their own pace, to support and develop strategies that will enable them to come to terms with their traumatic experiences, and move towards a safer and more settled lifestyle. These are the only projects in Birmingham that specifically supports children who have been sexually abused, and it is vital that Barnardo’s is able to continue to support the city’s most vulnerable children. To ensure the future of these projects for the next three years, Barnardo’s needs to raise £225,000, and right now Barnardo’s needs you to help raise these funds. Your support will give children and young people the chance of a future free from abuse and exploitation. “I had no-one else to call and I knew Barnardo’s would not judge me, thank you”. Peter, 17, ‘groomed’ and exploited when he was 15 Every contribution counts. Your support will help us raise £225,000 so we can provide a better service to more children and young people like Julie and Peter. £250 will pay for one preventative workshop in a school to help keep more children safe and sound £1,080 will pay for the average number of sessions needed to help one child overcome their traumatic experiences and face their future with hope £4,500 will provide intensive support for a child with more complex needs who requires counselling for three years £5,300 will pay for Barnardo’s freephone and mobile texting system which enables young people at risk of sexual exploitation to keep in touch with their project worker