Calls to child sexual abuse prevention helpline rocket in Surrey
Stop It Now! has seen over a fifth more calls this year compared to 2021.
Last updated 15th Nov 2022
A national child sexual abuse prevention helpline has seen an increase of calls to their Surrey support lines, compared to 2021.
Stop It Now! has reported a 23% increase in demand, rising from 145 in 2021, to 178 in 2022.
The helpline, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and is run by The Lucy Faithfull Foundation. They are the only UK-wide charity to be dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse.
An annual report has been published by the Foundation, with data showing that Stop It Now!' had contact from a total of 7,658 individuals to their helplines between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022.
That's an increase of 5% on their previous year.
The helpline, also supports people who are worried about their own thoughts and feelings, or other adults.
Deborah Denis, CEO, spoke with Greatest Hits about what needs to be done going forward, "Putting in resources to support children after they've been abused is a vital piece of work.
"Putting in resources to address offenders and hold them to account is essential, but we must start putting more focus on preventing abuse because picking up the pieces afterwards is too late.
"So, more focus on early intervention, more awareness of the issue, all of these things we can do better on."
Their annual report comes just weeks after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published its long-awaited report into historical child sexual abuse.
The helpline worked with 301 men arrested for online offending across the nation to help prevent future offending, as well as supporting 206 family members affected by the arrest of a loved one for online offending over the last year.
Greatest Hits spoke with Deborah about the signs to look out for from adults to save a child from a dangerous situation.
"Wanting to spend a lot of time on their own with a particular child. Showering a particular chid with additional love of gifts.
"There could be signs around wanting to separate children if it's teachers or youth workers.
"It could be signs to look out for in the child too, being resistant to spending time with somebody, not wanting to hug or kiss a family relative. These are all sorts of indications."
If you have concerns about child sexual abuse you can call 0808 1000 900 or visit stopitnow.org.uk