The campaign encourages young people to report crimes on the Isle of Man

A campaign to raise awareness of a dedicated service for young people to anonymously report crime in the Isle of Man has been launched.

The Isle of Man Crimestoppers Fearless program aims to give people aged between 11 and 16 the opportunity to report crimes by telephone or via an online form.

The campaign coincides with Protection Awareness Week and aims to create greater understanding of exploitation and the support available on the island.

Isle of Man Crimestoppers chairwoman Karen Ramsay said the service allowed young people to report crimes and helped them “recognize what crime is”.

Reporting crimes can be “very difficult” for young people as doing so is often seen as “traitor”, which has negative connotations, she said.

However, while individuals may feel like they are “betraying” people, young people could be at risk of being “exploited” or becoming “very vulnerable”, Ms Ramsay said.

The program aimed to change that perception so that sharing information was seen as contributing to community safety, she continued.

The charity wants to raise awareness and encourage young people to go to a trusted adult, even if it’s not through the Fearless program, she said.

The initiative also provides online resources for both young people and professionals who may be supporting an individual.

While Isle of Man Crimestoppers is its own registered charity, the call center is based in London.

Calls are not recorded and cannot be traced, as with online forms, and individuals are assisted with the process by call agents.

Mr Ramsay said: “Some of the types of crimes that young people may have information about are very serious, such as drug crimes, domestic violence and sexual crimes.”

The charity’s most reported crimes on the island were drug-related, she added.

Safeguarding Awareness Week runs until November 11th.