THE NSPCC has launched the second phase of its Underwear Rule campaign today to encourage parents in East Lancashire to talk to their children about staying safe from sexual abuse.

The campaign aims to give parents of children aged five to 11 the confidence to have an easy conversation about sexual exploitation by providing free online and downloadable guidance.

Bernadette Oxley, NSPCC regional head of service for the North West, said: “In the run up to the first campaign the issue of child sexual abuse had been high in the public consciousness, as it still is today with high profile sexual abuse cases continuing to dominate news headlines.

“Parents play the most important role in keeping their children safe, but many find sexual abuse a difficult subject to talk to their children about.

“As there was little freely available guidance to support them, we wanted to help make the conversations a lot easier and so devised the Underwear Rule campaign.”

Blackburn actress Wendi Peters, formerly Cilla Battersby in Coronation Street and an active NSPCC supporter, is backing the campaign.

She said: “As a mum, I am pleased to support the NSPCC’s Underwear Rule campaign.

“The Underwear Rule is a really easy way for parents to have simple conversations with their children to help them keep safe without using scary words or even having to mention abuse.”

Supportive materials for parents are available at www.nspcc.org.uk/underwear