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25th January, 2025.
Award-winning author and Honorary Member of the NSPCC Council Christina Gabbitas recently conducted sessions at Thirsk Secondary School, collaborating with the North Yorkshire Police schools liaison team.
Christina who has been working with North Yorkshire Police since 2021, was commissioned in 2023 by North Yorkshire Police, with funding from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, to create the second instalment of her series addressing the issue of county lines exploitation.
The strory, "Trapped in County Lines," was a finalist in the People’s Book Prize in 2024 and has reached thousands of secondary school students across North Yorkshire through the delivery of sessions.
Christina emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, “Criminals are targeting children and young people from all walks of life, and this problem is persistent and not going away. It is our shared responsibility to educate as thoroughly as we can. I firmly believe in the lasting impact that storytelling can have and working together has proved that.”
Mr. Mars, Head of PSHCE, remarked, “The sessions were impactful and unforgettable. The message is crucial—county lines exploitation is affecting countless young lives. Instead of a traditional assembly format, we opted for smaller groups, which allowed Christina’s narrative intervention style to resonate effectively.
The power of storytelling is essential in conveying this message in a unique and meaningful way.”
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