Crimestoppers Isle of Man has taken further steps to support crime reduction in the island by promoting a campaign that focuses on young people.
‘Fearless’ is a dedicated youth programme that provides young people with the ability to offer information about crime with 100% guaranteed anonymity.
The charity is working with partners including the Department of Education, Sport and Culture and the Safeguarding Board, to raise awareness of the service which enables young people to make an anonymous report if they are concerned about crime.
The promotion links with Safeguarding Week starting on November 11, which provides an excellent opportunity to inform young people about Fearless.
Crimestoppers
Chair of Isle of Man Crimestoppers, Karen Ramsay, said: “Reporting crime can be very difficult for young people.
“The Office of National Statistics in the UK reported that less than one fifth of children and young people who experience violent crime actually go on to report it to the police. The reasons for this included fear of being labelled a ‘snitch’, a word which carries a lot of negativity.
“What the Fearless programme aims to do is to help change the narrative of crime reporting for young people. We are trying to encourage young people to pass on information they may have about a crime. It is not snitching, it is helping to make their community safer.”
Karen explained that when “someone reports something to keep others safe” that they are being an active bystander and taking action and preventing harm.
She added: “Some of the types of crimes that young people may have information about are very serious, such as drugs crime, domestic violence and sexual crimes. In particular we are concerned that some of these crimes involve children being either exploited or put into very vulnerable positions.”
Protecting Young People
Isle of Man Crimestoppers is reassuring any young person using the service of the following guarantees:
- 100% anonymity. You are never asked to reveal your name or any personal details.
- We will listen to any information you have on a crime.
- Your calls will not be recorded and they are not traced. Calls are free from all phones and do not show up on the phone bill.
- When information is provided using our online form the IP addresses are masked and can never be traced.
- Our specially trained call agents support you through the process and make sure the report contains no information that could identify you.
- Even if a caller’s personal details are given, they will not be recorded.
The contacts to report crime 100% anonymously are by phone on 0800 555 111 or at www.fearless.org
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