Six referrals made every day concerning child abuse and neglect by the NSPCC in the South West
The charity says half a million children a year suffer abuse in the UK
In 2021/22, the NSPCC Helpline made 2,242 referrals to agencies across the South West to investigate concerns about child abuse and neglect – an average of six a day.
The most common reason for the charity’s practitioners to escalate concerns in the area was physical abuse, with 717 referrals.
Other concerns included those for neglect (625), emotional abuse (464), sexual abuse (414) and sexual abuse online (22).
The NSPCC says recent the figures paint a worrying picture of the abuse and neglect faced by children.
Across the UK last year, the Helpline made 22,983 referrals to agencies about children thought to be experiencing abuse and neglect – an average of 63 children a day.
The NSPCC Helpline receives contacts from public and professionals who have safeguarding fears about a child and will refer these to agencies when serious enough.
This comes as the charity launches Childhood Day on 10 of June, its flagship day of fundraising and action that brings everyone in the UK together to protect children.
The leading charity for child protection is emphasising that everyone has a responsibility to keep children safe from abuse and neglect. This means people logging any concerns that they have about a child and contacting the charity if and when they are unsure.
Governments across the UK prioritising child protection at a national level and are rallying for everyone across the UK to unite on the 10 June for Childhood Day.
Whether it is by fundraising, donating, volunteering at a collection, or taking action, the NSPCC is asking people to play their part to help keep children safe from abuse.
Emma Frost was abused as a child.
She wishes someone spoke out on her behalf and is calling on everyone to support the NSPCC’s Childhood Day so the charity can continue to take vital calls via the Helpline:
"I was the eldest of seven siblings and grew up in a chaotic household. I was subjected to emotional and physical torment and made to believe that I was saying, thinking and doing things I wasn’t.
"I spent four years in care. My father abused me from a young age and in 2011, he was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.
"I wish someone, at some point, had picked up the phone and called the NSPCC Helpline. I would have got the right help a lot earlier and it wouldn’t have done as much damage.
"The NSPCC is just as important now as it was when I was a little girl. Whatever else is going on, it’s vital we all play our part for children suffering abuse."
Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO said:
"In light of the recent tragic cases and the difficulties and increased risk faced by the younger generation over the past couple of years, it is important we ask if we have learnt the right lessons and challenge ourselves to do all we can to protect children from harm.
"The upcoming Care Review in England and National Panel review of the circumstances behind recent child deaths, provide a golden opportunity to strengthen our system at all levels to ensure it is robust enough to prevent more tragedies from happening.
"As well as the Government playing a leading role, we know that strong communities can help to keep children safe, where thousands of individual people play their part in doing what’s right.
"That’s why we created Childhood Day – a day that brings everyone in the UK together to emphasise why child protection is a top priority."
At the start of next month, the NSPCC will launch its Childhood Day TV Appeal.
The advert, which will go out on TV from the 2 May, sees a member of the public contact the NSPCC helpline with concerns about a three-year-old boy who is experiencing physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his mother.
The NSPCC is urging anyone with concerns about a child, even if they’re unsure, to contact the NSPCC helpline to speak to one of the charity’s professionals.
People can call 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or fill in the online form.