A SERIES of events is being held in Keighley as part of a week-long campaign raising awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Activities kick-off on Friday, March 15, with a conference – CSE is Everybody’s Business – at Keighley College.

The main speaker will be Sara Rowbotham, who led the Rochdale crisis intervention team for the NHS for a decade and played a key role in exposing the town’s child sex abuse ring.

There will also be presentations by West Yorkshire Police, the Bradford District CSE Hub and GW Theatre and the screening of a film made by young people.

For more details about the event, search for CSE is Everybody’s Business at eventbrite.com.

An information stall is being staged in the Airedale Shopping Centre on Saturday, March 16.

It will provide details of agencies offering support to victims, outline work being carried out to help protect youngsters and explain how people can report concerns.

The following day, a service of Hope and Prayer takes place at the Shared Church, at 1pm.

The event will offer prayers for victims of grooming, and their family and friends.

Town chaplain, the Rev Dr Jonathan Pritchard, says anyone is welcome to attend the service.

He added that it was important victims were in people’s thoughts and that their “painful and difficult” experiences could form part of a Christian act of worship.

“It matters that people’s lives have been blighted in this way and I believe it matters to God,” said the Rev Dr Pritchard. “God brings hope and healing into our broken world.”

More details about the service can be obtained from curate the Rev Natasha Thomas on 07468 575114.

The film – Somebody’s Sister, Somebody’s Daughter – will be screened on Wednesday, March 20, at Ingrow Primary School between 9.30am and 11am and at Keighley Association of Women and Children Centre, Marlborough Street, from 1pm to 2.30pm. There will be a chance for the audience to discuss the themes with director Dave Jones.

And events will culminate on Friday, March 22, when representatives from organisations which support children and young people will visit three mosques to discuss ways of working across the community to help prevent CSE.