History of Kidscape

Kidscape, the campaign for children's safety was founded in 1984 by Dr Michele Elliott, mother and child psychologist, with the aim of teaching children personal safety. With the help of parents, carers, teachers, police and other caring professionals, children are taught ways to deal with bullies, good sense defence, approaches by strangers, and even known adults who may try to harm them.

Where other charities offer after-the-fact support, Kidscape works to keep children safe before harm occurs. Kidscape's work is based on the premise that:

• All children have the right as individuals to the knowledge and skills that will help them be safe, independent and to be able to express their feelings and concerns
• All adults have the responsibility to keep children safe, to listen to the feelings and concerns of children and take them seriously

Set-up in 1984, Kidscape was the first nation-wide prevention programme for children dealing with personal safety. Kidcape's child protection programmes are based on three pilot projects. The first project (1984-1986) involved a two-year study with 4000 children, their parents and children, their parents and teachers. Although "stranger danger" was widely taught to children by police school liaison officers, the pilot studies revealed that the main threat to children was in fact from people known to them-bullies, friends, or even family members.

Kidscape programmes are now taught UK-wide in thousands of schools and community groups. Over 2 million children throughout the UK have been taught Kidscape's Child Protection Programme, although this figures grows every day. Every year we advise over 12,000 children and parents through our anti-bullying Helpline and distribute over 250 Bully-packs each week.

In 1998 SmithKline Beecham awarded Kidscape an Impact Award recognising Kidscape's work in improving community health.

In January 2000, Kidscape organised The Children's Champions sponsored by Del Monte recognising over 365 celebrities, teachers, solicitors, charity workers, journalists, entrepreneurs, parents and children …anyone and everyone who did something wonderful to help children.

In September 2000, Kidscape was proud to receive the Charity Times UK Charity of the Year. Kidscape is thrilled and delighted to have our work celebrated this way. Rory Bremner presenting the Award said:
'Kidscape is an innovative and lively group with clear ideas about its programmes dealing with issues in original, varied and successful ways. The group works directly with those it is trying to help and the small size of its team make its achievements this year even more remarkable.'

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