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Tag: NSPCC

  • PRESS RELEASE : Child sexual exploitation crimes up 10% in the last year [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Child sexual exploitation crimes up 10% in the last year [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the NSPCC on 28 October 2022.

    We’re launching our Full Story campaign to connect more young people at risk of, or experiencing, sexual exploitation with Childline.

    New analysis of police-recorded crime data reveals the number of child sexual exploitation crimes has increased by 10% within the last year.

    During 2021/22 in England and Wales there were 17,486 crimes logged by police where children had been sexually exploited – an average of 48 offences a day.

    We’re revealing this data alongside the launch of the Full Story campaign in a bid to encourage more children and teenagers at risk of or suffering sexual exploitation to use Childline for immediate, confidential help.

    Over the last year, our helpline has heard from thousands of young people about sexual exploitation with some being manipulated into performing sexual activities after being given money, drugs or love and affection.

    Others have been sexually exploited after being trafficked from their home after being threatened with violence or the promise of a better life elsewhere.

    The number of Childline counselling sessions on sexual exploitation and abuse has increased from 5,962 to 6,230 this year (April 2021 – March 2022).

    The campaign has created a series of short films showing five different scenarios of sexual exploitation, taken from real Childline calls.

    As well as helping children and young people gain an understanding of what sexual exploitation is and what a healthy relationship looks like, we are focused on getting more young people to connect with us so we can offer immediate help and confidential support.

    This week, the service has unveiled posters at bus stops, motorway service stations, cinemas, colleges, Pupil Referral Units, youth centres, youth hostels, children’s homes, GPs, and sexual health clinics.

    Although more children are reaching out for support on this issue, our counsellors know that there are many barriers and reasons which prevent some children from speaking out and getting help.

    For some children, they may be being exploited by a family member or someone in a position of authority, other cases it may be a girlfriend or boyfriend. The grooming methods used can be subtle, so often they don’t recognise anything is wrong or that they’re in danger.

    While others might blame themselves for what they are experiencing, some are being blackmailed or threatened by their abuser causing them to remain silent due to fear.

    Darren Worth, Service Head of Childline, said:

    “Sexual exploitation is a complex crime and often when children describe what is happening in their relationship, they don’t realise they are being groomed and abused.

    “Our counsellors have heard from children who have said they didn’t realise what they experienced in a relationship or friendship was wrong until they were much older, and some said at the time they thought their abuser was someone they could trust.

    “Others said they thought they were to blame for what had happened and were scared about what would happen if they did speak out.

    “This is why this campaign is so important as it’s essential that all children and young people have an awareness of this issue and know that no matter what the circumstances are, that sexual exploitation is never a child’s fault and there are people like Childline who can help.”

    Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO said:

    “Child sexual exploitation casts a dark shadow across our society, inflicting fear and pain on a rising number of children and young people.

    “Greater public and professional awareness of this problem is vital, along with places like Childline which offers free and confidential help to those that are struggling, suffering or are confused at what is being done to them.

    “Government must also provide high-quality sex and relationships education to all children and young people, giving them a better understanding of what is and is not a healthy relationship. At the same time our political leaders must make child safety a key priority and commit to fundamental reform of the wider child protection system.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse releases its final report [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse releases its final report [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the NSPCC on 20 October 2022.

    94 victims and survivors gave evidence in public hearings. For them, and for all who have experienced sexual abuse, this must be a defining moment for lasting change.

    The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has published its final report and recommendations on how multiple organisations have failed and are continuing to fail to protect children in their care from sexual abuse.

    Since 2015, IICSA has held 15 investigations with over 6,000 experiences being shared with the Truth Project and 87 recommendations for change made.

    1 in 20 children in the UK has been sexually abused.1 One in three children sexually abused by an adult did not tell anyone at the time.2

    IICSA was set up after investigations in 2012 and 2013 into the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal revealed widespread abuse and inadequate safeguarding by institutions and organisations responsible for child welfare.

    The role of IICSA was to investigate what went wrong and why, and use its findings to make clear recommendations and prevent failures from happening in future.

    In that time information was sought from the NSPCC for nine investigations. These included investigations into residential schools, the internet, religious organisations and child sexual exploitation.

    We provided witness statements, helplines data, records searches, briefing papers and results from an FOI request. Our staff gave evidence at public hearings, culminating in Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, giving evidence in December 2020.

    IICSA’s findings demonstrate that we need to see a wholesale change in how child sexual abuse is tackled. Reporting matters and responding effectively is crucial. We’re calling for changes that would focus on strengthening:

    – prevention (through strong safeguarding policies and procedures in all organisations)
    – the recognition of the signs of child sexual abuse
    – the knowledge of how to report
    – the availability of recovery support services
    – the response from child protection agencies.

    Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said:

    “It would be an utter tragedy if events in Westminster completely overshadowed the report and recommendations from IICSA. This was a chance to show the survivors and victims who broke the silence that we have heard them and that their legacy will be a national mission to prevent child sexual abuse. They deserve nothing less.

    “We will soon have a new Prime Minister. They must make this report a defining moment by making sure there is political leadership to translate IICSA’s recommendations into a robust system that truly keeps children safe. They must start by appointing a Cabinet Minister for Children.

    “NSPCC analysis shows there were more than 85,000 child sexual abuse reports to police last year. The Government must also bring forward a strengthened a Victim’s Bill that ensures specialist support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and deliver a robust Online Safety Bill to ensure tech firms design platforms that have child protection designed in as a legal requirement.

    “Everyone has a role to play and if you ever have a concern about the wellbeing of a child, please do not hesitate to contact the NSPCC Helpline.”