Over 1,000 child sex abuse offences reported across North Wales last year
New figures released by the NSPCC paint a grim picture of child sexual abuse in the UK, with almost 87,000 offences recorded by police in 2022/23. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? This startling number remains close to the highest levels recorded in the 16 years since the annual research began. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? The types of offences include rape, sexual assault, grooming, and exploitation, predominantly affecting 11 to 15-year-olds. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
In Wales alone, police forces documented 4,671 offences last year, with the breakdown as follows: ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
- North Wales Police: 1,096
- Dyfed Powys Police: 838
- Gwent Police: 884
- South Wales Police: 1,853 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
In response to these alarming figures, the NSPCC, in partnership with the Home Office, is launching a new campaign. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? This joint effort aims to encourage the public and professionals to report any concerns about child sexual abuse to the NSPCC Helpline. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? The Home Office is bolstering this initiative by funding an increase in the Helpline’s capacity and raising awareness among the public and professionals. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
The NSPCC has also created two films promoting the new campaign. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? These films show how adults can use the Helpline to share any concerns they may have about a child’s safety or welfare. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? One of these films is tailored to professionals[1], and the other reaches out to the general public[2]. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Following the comprehensive report by IICSA (the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse) in October 2022, which highlighted the under-reported nature of child sexual abuse, there has been an hourly contact with the Helpline regarding concerns of sexual abuse against children. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? This report collected evidence and testimonies from thousands of victims and survivors over seven years, offering a set of recommendations to address this endemic issue. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? One parent from Wales shared with the Helpline, “My child is being groomed online and I need to make it stop. ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
“They’ve been sending naked pictures of themselves online in exchange for money. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? “They think it’s ok because they’re 17 but I know they’re being exploited. They won’t listen to our worries, what’s the best action to take?” ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
The NSPCC also runs a Whistleblowing Helpline for concerns about child protection issues within workplaces or other professional organisations. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Childline, another service offered by the charity, provides a direct line for children impacted by sexual abuse. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? A 15-year-old girl from Wales told Childline about an incident at a party, highlighting the traumatic experiences children face. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
She said, “I was crying when my dad picked me up. I tried to explain what happened, but he got angry and said that’s what happens when girls do silly things at parties. I don’t think that’s true, I think it was assault.” ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Kam Thandi, Helpline Director at the NSPCC, emphasises the importance of the campaign, stating, “The high numbers of child sexual offences being reported are a warning to us all that more must be done to tackle this abuse. We’re encouraging adults to contact us. What is shared could be life-changing for a child experiencing sexual abuse.” ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Laura Farris MP, Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, reinforces the collective responsibility to protect children. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? She said: “Every adult must be supported to call out child sexual abuse without fear. We’re supporting the NSPCC and their Helpline to protect children and bring offenders to justice.” ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Concerned adults can reach the NSPCC Helpline at [email protected][3] or 0808 800 5000, while children can contact Childline at 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk. In immediate danger, 999 should be contacted. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Spotted something?
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References
- ^ professionals (youtu.be)
- ^ general public (youtu.be)
- ^ [email protected] (www.wrexham.com)
- ^ [email protected] (www.wrexham.com)