NSPCC warns of hike in child cruelty and neglect crimes
A children’s charity has warned the number of child cruelty and neglect offences recorded in Northern Ireland has jumped by over a fifth in the last year.
According to the NSPCC police services recorded 23,529 offences across the whole of the UK in 2019/2020.
This figure includes 605 offences which happened in NI, which is three times more than the total recorded in 2013/14.
PSNI statistics show 109 of those offences took place between April and June 2020, during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Senior police figures believe this does not provide a full picture of what children may have experienced during and after the first national lockdown.
The Chief Executive of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, said:
“The pandemic is the greatest challenge we’ve faced in decades and these figures are yet another example of its impact on vulnerable children.
“They also provide a heart-breaking picture of the concern about the number of young people who were exposed to pain and suffering following the start of the pandemic.
“This year it is even more essential that children have a place where they can seek help and support.
“Our Childline service will be running every day over the Christmas holidays, but we need the public’s support so we can ensure vulnerable children are heard.”
Michelle is 42 years old and is from Newtownabbey, she said Christmas is not an enjoyable experience for every child and is using her story of sexual abuse and neglect to highlight the issue.
As a child home was a frightening place for Michelle and her siblings growing up, and she first disclosed sexual abuse by an adult close to her family at the age of seven.
She said: “Growing up as the oldest sibling, I spent most of my time looking after my five younger brothers and sisters.
“We weren’t allowed out of the house much and were regularly locked in my mum’s bedroom with a bucket for a toilet, while she went out on alcohol binges for days on end.
“My parents had split up when I was young, but my dad stayed present in our lives, coming and going to the house.
“My siblings and I were afraid of both of our parents. If you made a noise when you weren’t meant to in our house, the reaction was terrifying.
“Christmas is always associated with being happy in films and on cards but not every child’s experiences of Christmas are positive.
“For me, it always brought a sense of dread.
“In my home, where my parents were already struggling to manage the stress of eight children and their own trauma, Christmas added the additional stress of money worries.
“School being closed meant all us kids were at home and our parents could barely look after us as it was.
“For us as children, this meant increased neglect and increased exposure to alcohol and violence.”
The NSPCC has launched its Here for Children Christmas Appeal and a new TV advert to raise awareness of abuse and neglect this Christmas.
Buildings across Northern Ireland will support the NSPCC in December by turning green, the charity’s colour.
Some places include Newry Town Hall, Antrim Civic Centre, Mossley Mill and Ballyclare Town Clock.