Christmas most common period for Children to disclose abuse
People in Surrey are being urged to dust off our walking boots this Christmas to help raise vital funds for the NSPCC.
Last updated 1st Dec 2022
People across Surrey and East Hampshire are being asked to take part in the NSPCC's Walk for Children - as the charity reveals many children confide in Childline for the first time in December and January.
The fundraising sponsored walk takes place on December the 21st - the longest night of the year.
The charity says their Childline phone service is open for calls 24 hours a day - every day - including Christmas Day.
Over the past year Childline has delivered 15,515 counselling sessions where children have spoken about the abuse they have suffered or are experiencing.
In 2,267 of those counselling sessions children revealed abuse for the first time, ever.
And of these, a fifth of disclosures took place during December 2021 and January 2022, with the youngest child just nine years old.
As the Christmas school holidays are fast approaching the charity is gearing up to keep its 13 Childline bases open 24/7 over the festive period, so they can be there whenever a child chooses to disclose.
When children talk about the sexual, emotional, physical or domestic abuse affecting them for the first time with Childline counsellors, often the same emotions and feelings are described. These include shame, being scared, or worried they were the ones that had done something wrong. Others shared they didn’t know how to tell adults in their life.
In the last year, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, has also seen:
- A 20% increase in the number of children under 11 being counselled for sexual abuse, when compared to the year before.
- More boys revealing online sexual abuse – 45% more than the year before.
Last December a girl aged 15 told a Childline counsellor:
“My stepfather abuses me and makes me do nasty things. When he drinks he comes into my bedroom and makes me do things to please him. When he is sober he just hits me. I have not told anyone else about this and I am feeling really depressed and scared.”
The NSPCC is releasing its latest Childline data about abuse as it launches its ‘Be here for children’ Christmas appeal, which shows why it is vitally important Childline stays open over the festive period, as statutory services close down.
The charity is growing increasingly concerned to see the number of children needing support, in particular for abuse and neglect, when the system is struggling to cope, and the cost-of-living crisis will likely leave more families needing help this Winter.
Last year, there were more than 89,200 reports of child sexual abuse recorded by police forces in England and Wales– and this is why the NSPCC is urging Government to make 2023 the year that child protection is made a national priority.
Amber's story
Amber (not her real name) was sexually abused by a family member when she was 9 years old. She’s been working with the NSPCC to raise awareness of child abuse and the importance of speaking out.
She said: “Christmas was just another day to me, and I resented it. It’s a time usually considered for family and celebration. But for me, it felt like a very dark and lonely place, and ultimately, it meant having to spend time with my abuser.”
Amber can’t remember why she decided to call Childline and speak out about the abuse she was experiencing, but knew she needed someone to help her.
“I couldn’t find the words to tell my mum. But Childline finally made me feel like someone understood. When you disclose, the one big fear is that no-one will believe you. But the counsellors I spoke to were so empathetic, helpful, and kind. They knew I was telling the truth. And they gave me that bravery, that reassurance that people would believe me, and that I was doing the right thing by speaking out.”
Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said:
“The Christmas holidays can be one of the most difficult times of the year for children, and they often need somewhere to go to confide. It is vitally important they know that Childline is here for them throughout the holidays to provide free and confidential help and advice.
“It is crucial that everyone recognises they have a part to play when it comes to keeping children safe from abuse, including government. 2022 has been a year where the importance of child protection has come to the forefront, 2023 needs to be the year of meaningful change.”
Help us be here for all children this Christmas by visiting the NSPCC website to donate. Together, we can keep children safe
The Childline service is here for children every day, even on Christmas Day. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When a child needs help, Childline can be a lifeline. When a child feels like they have nowhere else to turn to, it’s vital that the NSPCC is here, ready to listen and support children across the UK.
How can I help?
On Wednesday, December 21, the NSPCC is asking people in the South East to dust off their walking boots and to get into the festive spirit by taking part in the charity’s Walk for Children.
Walk for Children is a sponsored 5km walk where families, friends and colleagues can get together on the longest night of the year to raise money to support the NSPCC and Childline this Christmas.
Participants can walk past landmarks lighting up ‘NSPCC green’ including Rochester Cathedral, BA i360, Lancing College Chapel and Maidstone Town Hall.