A Preston woman is working to end child exploitation.

Karen Livesey runs C.A.T. – Child sexual exploitation Awareness Training – and is also an Associate Trainer for Talking Life and Barnardo’s.

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Through her work Karen aims to draw awareness to child sexual and criminal exploitation, and educate parents and carers on how to keep young people safe.

Born in Mount Street Hospital, Karen grew up in Ribbleton and attended Larkhill Convent and Newman College before studying a Bachelor of Eduction in Liverpool.

After working as a primary school teacher in London for several years, Karen went into youth work where she became more aware of child exploitation issues.

Further specialist and advanced study in child sexual exploitation, sexual health and safeguarding led Karen to launch C.A.T.

In 2019 Karen won a Propeller Enterprise Award from UCLan for a piece of training she designed and delivered. She is now set to launch a new project funded by the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Read more: Preston community groups awarded share of £25,000 funding

Karen said: “I’m excited to be launching my free No Whispers training project.

“The training is for multi-agencies and volunteers related to child sexual and child criminal exploitation, and is due to start in January 2021.

“It will cover topics such as grooming, identifying vulnerabilities, online exploitation, and how to report incidents.”

Karen also offers interactive training sessions on relationships and sexual health, and modern day slavery and human trafficking.

She recently produced a short film in response to the rise of online abuse for children and young people during Covid-19.

The film is aimed at parents and carers, and includes practical tips and strategies to keep children and young people safe.

If the video below doesn’t load, watch it on YouTube.

To find out more about Karen’s work, visit the C.A.T. website. To book a place on the No Whispers training, contact Karen at karen@cse-awareness.co.uk or 07713 129242.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

What do you think of Karen’s work? Let us know in the comments.