A film by Black Country teenagers to raise awareness of sexual exploitation has gone on national release.

People are being encouraged to watch Anybody's Child, from youth led group Chatback, which tells the story of a young girl who is groomed by a boy she trusts and who she believes loves her.

Starring young people alongside comedian and actress Josie Lawrence, the film aims to help people understand how easily exploitation can happen and to recognise the warning signs so they can stay safe and make the right choices.

The film will feature on the Type=links;Linkid=3771;Title=See Me, Hear Me;Target=_blank; website and also be shown to teenagers in schools across the West Midlands as part of the See Me Hear Me campaign, launched by Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Coventry, Birmingham and Solihull councils and West Midlands Police to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation.

Councillor Val Gibson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: "The See Me, Hear Me campaign seeks to raise awareness about child sexual exploitation and the warning signs that people should look out for.

"These signs include having friends who are older, persistently going missing, secretive relationships with unknown adults, truancy from school, chronic fatigue, constant calls on a mobile phone and the possession of money or new things.

"Anybody's Child is a hugely powerful film and I'd urge people to watch it and find out more about how they can protect themselves and their children from this horrendous crime."

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  • released: Wednesday 28 January, 2015