NSPCC calls for strong government action in wake of Labinjo-Hughes case
Cases of child abuse are up 22% in England and Wales
Last updated 11th Feb 2022
The NSPCC has called on the government to safeguard children after new figures show child abuse continues to rise.
Following high-profile child abuse cases such as Arthur Labinjo-Hughes in Solihull and Star Hobson in Bradford, the charity is pushing the government to give more protections to children.
It comes as figures from the Office for National Statistics released in September found that there were over 28,000 different offences committed against children in England and Wales - up 22% on the previous year.
In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSPCC dealt with an average of 25 cases of child abuse every day, highlighting that neglect and abuse was continuing and worsening.
In total, nearly half of calls made to the NSPCC regarding physical abuse were about children aged five and under.
As a result, the charity is calling on the government to force change in legislation to reduce the number of referrals being made to its service.
It said that by amending the Health and Care Bill currently going through Parliament, the response to child abuse can be strengthened so children can be saved from further abuse.
Speaking about the figures, the NSPCC's Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Anna Edmundson said that what happened to Labinjo-Hughes and Hobson should not happen to anyone.
"The entire country was shocked and saddened by the horrific deaths of Arthur Labinjo- Hughes, Star Hobson and Amina-Faye Johnson which led to calls to prioritise child protection," she said.
“But at a time when Government could be showing national leadership when it comes to safeguarding, child protection guidance is glaringly absent from big changes to the system that will result from the Health and Care Bill.
“It’s crucial the importance of health services’ role in identifying and preventing child abuse before tragedies occur is recognised in legislation and backed up with investment for a fragmented and woefully underfunded child protection system.”