Hampshire teenagers warn “lives at risk” from adults failing to listen

“One conversation could save a child’s life. Without that, some of my friends wouldn’t be here now.”

The words of 17-year-old Sophie, one of several young people who’ve helped launch Trusted Adults, a new awareness campaign around child protection and serious violence in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.

It highlights the importance adults can have in listening to and supporting a young person at risk of harm.

A report published earlier this month highlighted that 16.8% of children aged 10-15 in England and Wales had spoken with an adult they trust for advice in the last 12 months, over fears about gangs or violence. That number rises to 24.4% of 15-year-old children. [Office for National Statistics]

Trusted adults are normally perceived as someone in a position of authority like police officers, teachers or firefighters. But it could be any of us, at any time.

They are adults chosen by young people as safe, honest figures who’ll listen without judgement. Evidence shows that the child-led connection and support can significantly reduce the long-term impact of serious violence and exploitation on young people.

There are approximately 15,500 children at risk of criminal exploitation across the UK [Office for National Statistics], while 1-in-5 children do not have an adult in their life they feel they can trust outside of their home [Youth Endowment Fund].

Donna Jones said: “This campaign is important because many adults don’t see themselves as the right person to help a child in crisis, when they could be the one to make all the difference.

“Most children who are exploited or harmed knew an adult who could have helped, but that adult didn’t realise it was them.

“Trusted Adults aims to help people understand the impact they could have just by listening and doing the right thing in a moment of crisis for a young person.

“This is about early intervention, but it does not remove accountability, nor does it excuse criminal behaviour or replace law enforcement.”

For the 12 months ending March 2026 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight there were more than 3,000 under 18s reported as missing in 8,386 incidents, while there were 17,889 child victims of crime and 380 who were the victim of knife crime.

Children under 18 were present at 2,145 reports of domestic abuse in that same year, while Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recorded 1,453 Child Protection Plans.

PLAY TRUSTED ADULTS FILM 2

17-year-old Tom and 18-year-old Dylan feature in two emotive films created as part of the Trusted Adults campaign, made in partnership with Hampshire video production company, Neck of the Woods Films.

Both teenagers have lived experience of needing the support of a trusted adult.

Tom told us: “Having one adult that knows what’s going on, that can be trusted and can change something, can save or break a life. Frankly, more people need to be doing it.”

Dylan added: “There are children and young people out there right now who don’t have someone to talk to about their problems. That needs changing sooner rather than later.”

A March 2026 report, conducted in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, found 54% of young people said they were likely to turn to a trusted adult for their own mental wellbeing.

Chris, a youth football coach in Hampshire, told us: “They need to say what they have to say without being afraid to say it.

“That initial hurdle of actually having that first conversation is the hardest part, but what comes off the back of it is usually positive.”

In addition to the two films, Trusted Adults also offers an extensive online toolkit for anyone seeking help and advice, with Donna Jones saying: “I would encourage everyone to watch these films, to share them and spread the message that safeguarding is a shared duty for public and professionals alike.”

VRU Manager, Debbie Ashthorpe, said: “This campaign is designed to support all members of our Violence Reduction Partnership and the wider public to offer help and advice to people of all ages.

“Letting people know that they may be asked for help at any time and how best to deal with that, will help many children at risk of serious violence and exploitation.

“Children in crisis don’t need a hero – they just need someone to listen, to share their burden with.”

For further information visit www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/trustedadults