Wales Safeguarding Week 2025 (10-14 November)
Wales National Safeguarding Week is an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness and provide training on safeguarding issues. This year's week will be running from 10 – 14 November and the theme is Online Harm: Keeping Yourself and Others Safe.
Throughout the week, we will be raising awareness across Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board about the risks of online harm and abuse, and how individuals can protect themselves and others in digital spaces.
Safeguarding is a fundamental responsibility in healthcare, essential for protecting vulnerable individuals from harm, abuse, and neglect. Safeguarding involves both the protection of children and adults at risk from abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm and preventing them from becoming at risk of abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm.
What is Online Harm and Abuse?
Online harm refers to the risks and abuse people may encounter through digital platforms. It can affect anyone regardless of age or background and often occurs in everyday spaces such as social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, and websites.
Types of online harm include
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Social and Emotional Abuse: Cyberbullying, online harassment, cyberstalking, doxxing
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Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: Grooming, coercion, non-consensual sharing of explicit images (also known as revenge porn), deepfakes
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Harmful Online Content: Hate speech, extremist material, dangerous online challenges
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Scams and Financial Fraud: Phishing, romance scams, investment scams
Are you worried about the safety of a child or adult at risk?
Any person with concerns regarding the safety of a child/adult at risk, OR the behaviour of an employee towards a child/adult at risk, has a responsibility to report this immediately.
To report concerns about a child at risk please call:
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Bridgend 01656 642320
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RCT and Merthyr 01443 743730
To report concerns about an adult at risk please call:
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Bridgend 01656 642477
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RCT and Merthyr 01443 743730
For out of hours support, please call:
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01443 743665
CTM UHB aims to create a safe, supportive environment, where all individuals receive the highest standard of care and protection. At Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board we are committed to ensuring that every resident feels safe, supported and respected.
Safeguarding Week events
Over the course of the week, different organisations and partners across CTM will be hosting safeguarding events.
Tuesday 11 November
Cybercrime – Digital Stalking and Harassment (including Violence Against Women and Girls)
10am–11am, online
This presentation will introduce Cybercrime and its evolution of the years. It will highlight the impact on Digital Stalking and Harassment and additionally provide an explanation of what can be done to assist in the combat against Violence Against Women and Girls. This session is suitable for professionals, clients and general members of the public who wish to understand the challenges of technology enabled stalking and harassment.
To book a place, please click this link
Social Media and Substance Use
10am-12pm, YMa Pontypridd (28 Taff St, CF37 4TS)
A 2-hour training session to explore the changing world of social media platforms and their influence on substance use. The session will cover how drugs are obtained and sold online, the role of online forums and chatrooms, and how these digital spaces can link to county lines activity. We will also highlight practical strategies for keeping safe online. For parents/carers and professionals.
To book a place, please click this link.
Digital Resilience
10am-11am, online
As technology and the internet changes, so does the risk to children. Explore how to keep children and young people safe online. Increase your confidence in communicating about internet safety. Understand legislation, concerning behaviours online, and consider the development of a digital safety plan. Open to parents/cares.
To book a place, please click this link.
Wednesday 12 November
Protecting Children Online
2pm-4pm, online
A session for practitioners and parents/carers on protecting children and young people online, which will cover the following:
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How children use technology and the risks
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Gaming/loot boxes/in app purchases etc
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Social media and buying drugs through Apps
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Bullying online and the impact
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Online radicalisation and extremism.
To book a place, please do so via this link
Thursday 13 November
Online Harm: Keeping Yourself and Others Safe
Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board
10am-4pm, Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre Hub (3 Newmarket Walk, CF47 8EL)
An in-person community event being held in Merthyr Tydfil town centre to provide people with information on how to keep yourself and others safe online. There will be many organisations at the event, representing various services. Open to all.
For information on this event, please contact ctmsafeguarding@rctcbc.gov.uk
Online Fraud Awareness
10.30am-11.45am, online
Information Session Delivered by Tarian, South Wales Police. Open to all.
To book a place, please do so via this link.
Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness
6pm-7.30pm, online
Understand how and why child sexual exploitation happens. Explore risk factors, signs and indicators. Learn where to get help and how positive preventative action can help protect children and young people from exploitation. Open to parents/carers.
To book a place, please do so via this link
Friday 14 November
Social Media and Substance Use
10am-12pm, Cynon Linc, Seymour Street, Aberdare, CF44 7BD
A 2-hour training session to explore the changing world of social media platforms and their influence on substance use. The session will cover how drugs are obtained and sold online, the role of online forums and chatrooms, and how these digital spaces can link to county lines activity. We will also highlight practical strategies for keeping safe online. Open to parents/carers.
To book a place, please do so via this link.
A full programme of events can be found here.
Emma Reed, Safeguarding Practice Educator said: “We are delighted to once again be supporting Wales Safeguarding Week by hosting such a fantastic range of sessions and events. Safeguarding Week is a dedicated time to shine a spotlight on the issues that affect the safety and wellbeing of individuals in our communities. By focusing on online harm, we aim to raise awareness of the risks people face in digital spaces while empowering them with the knowledge to stay safe. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, whether you are a parent, carer, professional, or member of the public. This week is an opportunity to learn, share, and take action to protect ourselves and others.”
11/11/25