Pantosaurus visits Dinosaur pals in Leeds parks to Talk PANTS

The NSPCC’s friendly dinosaur, Pantosaurus, has paid a visit to Bramley Falls Park, to meet Leeds’ own 65 million-year-old residents, to share the children’s charity’s PANTS messaging.

Talking PANTS is a simple way that parents, professionals and communities can help keep children safe from sexual abuse. The NSPCC has created PANTS with the help of parents and professionals to make tricky conversations as easy and appropriate as possible for young children. Our cuddly dinosaur mascot Pantosaurus, with his short catchy music video and free fun activity packs, has helped children across the UK understand how they can speak out about anything that happens that makes them uncomfortable, and gives them the confidence to do that. Infact since PANTS launched in 2013, the video has been viewed more than 2.3 million times, sparking more than 1.5m conversations.

In his latest adventure Pantosaurus came face to face with the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex, awesome Pterodactyls and some of the other prehistoric creatures, over 80 of the beasts at the last count, currently roaming the wilds of Leeds’ parks.

Families can walk amongst dinosaurs across some of Leeds’s most iconic green spaces, including Bramley Falls, Cross Flatts, Middleton, Gotts Park as well as Leeds waterfront, thanks to the help of the free Love Exploring App. Leeds City Council have launched the app to help change how people enjoy parks across Leeds for years to come. Utilising augmented reality, the app bring parks and locations across the city alive, populating them with interactive dinosaurs and walking trails.

Helen Westerman, Head of Local Campaigns for the NSPCC said “Talking PANTS is as simple as teaching your child how to cross the road. We all want to keep our children safe and you’ve probably already talked to them about things like crossing the road safely. But have you spoken to them about how to stay safe from sexual abuse? We know it’s a conversation no parent wants to have, but we believe it can feel just as natural, and be just as easy, as the road safety chat.”

Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families who accompanied Pantosaurus on his special trip to Bramley Falls Park said: “Leeds City Council is committed to protecting children in our city and it’s important that parents, carers and professionals feel confident in educating children about messages that can help them stay safe from abuse.

“It can be difficult to speak about an issue like this with young children, so the PANTS rule is a great way to discuss it in a fun way that they can understand and that’s why we are getting behind this fantastic NSPCC campaign – alongside our parks’ dinosaur residents!”

Cllr Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles, said ““The Talking PANTS campaign is an important message, so it is really pleasing that we are able to throw our support behind the campaign. I would encourage families across Leeds to follow Pantosaurus’ lead and experience the dinosaurs that can be spotted in parks across the city.”

The NSPCC wants all parents to talk PANTS – because we know that talking regularly with children about these important messages really can help them stay safe. Some parents may find the idea of talking to children about this challenging, but the whole campaign is in simple language which is suitable for younger children. Parents can help keep their children safe by sharing, in every day moments like having a bath or in the car, knowledge essential to identify when something is wrong, and how they can speak out about it.

There’s lots of information available at www.nspcc.org.uk and by searching ‘NSPCC PANTS’ online. Any adult worried about the welfare of a child or in need of support and advice can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.  If a child is in immediate danger, call police on 999.