Abused children 'Often left to handle effects and need better therapy access'

Children are often left alone to deal with the "corrosive consequences'' of abuse, a charity has warned.

The NSPCC said more must be done to give youngsters who have been abused better access to therapy.

A survey of those who work with children found that many believe criteria are too stringent for abused children to access NHS support.

The charity surveyed 1,000 professionals - including psychologists, GPs, teachers and social workers across the UK - and found nine in 10 feel that services to help abused children overcome trauma are inadequate.

Most believe that over the last five years it has become more difficult for children to access therapy.

The charity, which is calling for better access to therapeutic services for abused children through its new campaign It's Time, said contributing factors include spending cuts and higher thresholds for therapy.

It said that in many instances youngsters have to wait for more than five months to get specialist support.

"It shames our nation that children who have suffered abuse languish for months and even years without support,'' said NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless.

"It's time to ensure that they automatically get the help they need to recover.

"We know that children are often left alone to deal with the corrosive emotional and psychological consequences of appalling abuse and that all too often they face long waits for help with their trauma, or the services offered aren't appropriate for children whose lives have been turned upside down by their experiences: this must change.

"The views of professionals in this survey speak loud and clear. The Government and those that commission services urgently need to increase what is currently available to support this most vulnerable group of children.

"Getting help to these children earlier is vital and can prevent longer term damage to the lives of those who have survived the horror of abuse.''

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