Intro

Forster designed a bold campaign for Barnardo’s to help safeguard children from sexual exploitation.

Challenge

More than 6000 vulnerable girls and boys were groomed then sexually exploited last year. This horrific yet little understood crime is increasing, and victims are getting younger. Sexual exploitation disproportionally affects vulnerable children with few social connections, many of whom have already suffered abandonment or abuse. Barnardo’s wants to increase public understanding and protect children at risk.

Solution

Forster created a compelling and attention-grabbing campaign. Cut Them Free uses puppet imagery to show the link between exploitation and control. The microsite has a clear and positive call to action: cut the strings and free children from their exploiters.

Barnardo’s PR campaign secured widespread coverage across national broadcast channels, broadsheets and tabloids, with features in consumer magazines as well as professional publications for police, educators and social care and youth workers.

Outcome

This campaign positioned Barnardo’s as leaders on this important issue. Following a flood of letters, Tim Loughton, the Under  Secretary of State for Children and Families personally pledged to lead an urgent consideration of further action to safeguard young people.