NSPCC made average six referrals a day for child abuse and neglect in South West
They say half a million suffer from abuse in the UK every year
Last year, the NSPCC made an average of six referrals a day to agencies in the South West about child abuse and neglect concerns.
The most common reason for the charity’s practitioners to escalate their concerns was physical abuse, with 717 referrals being made for further investigation - they made a total of 2,242 in the region.
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 the public and professionals who have safeguarding fears about a child.
The charity will refer these on to statutory agencies when serious enough to do so, whilst offering advice and assistance in all cases.
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:
“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.”
They're calling on everyone across the UK to unite on the 10th June for Childhood Day, to raise money and awareness for the NSPCC.
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.”
Anyone with concerns about a child can contact the charity on 0808 800 5000 or fill in their online form.