'Alarming' Rise in Number of Child Sex Crimes Reported to Police
Police are recording 85 child sex crimes every day after a dramatic spike in reports of abuse, new figures reveal.
Here in West Yorkshire, 1,537 allegations of child sex abuse were reported in 2013/14 – the third highest amount in the UK.
Nationally a total of 31,238 allegations of sexual offences against children were made to forces in England and Wales, according to research by the NSPCC.
This was an increase of more than a third compared to the previous year.
The majority of the victims were aged between 12 and 16 but more than one in four were younger than 11. Of those, 2,895 are estimated to be aged five or under, including 94 babies.
The data, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, reveals a
significant year-on-year increase in the number of sex offences against children.
The NSPCC said that until now the total had largely remained steady and the 38% rise was the biggest increase in six years of requesting the figures.
Since 2008/09, the number has increased by almost 50%.
Peter Wanless, the charity's chief executive, said: “These figures are disturbing and clearly illustrate child sexual abuse is a continuing and widespread problem that needs urgent action.
But we know this is still only a fraction of the true number of victims because some endure an agonising wait of many years before telling anyone – and others never reveal what has happened to them.
It's time to throw down the gauntlet to government which has to ensure all sexual abuse victims get specialist treatment to help them recover. By the end of this current Parliament there should be no children living in the shadow of abuse.''
The statistics are the latest in a slew of recent findings indicating a spike in the number of abuse cases being reported and follow a trend that started in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal in 2012.
Analysts have suggested that publicity surrounding high profile cases has increased awareness and in turn given more victims the courage to come forward.
“I think when you see the figures, they are alarming,” says Justine Skeats, a Children’s Services Manager at the NSPCC in Yorkshire.
“There’s no doubt that the heightened awareness around historical sexual abuse as a result of all of the media attention around the Savile affair has encouraged victims to come forwards.
“That can only be a positive thing for all victims to be able to share their stories and to be believed and for action to be taken.”
Improved recording methods by police has also been cited as a possible factor.
A wide-ranging independent inquiry, headed up by New Zealand Justice Lowell Goddard, has been established by the Home Secretary Theresa May to probe allegations of historical child sex abuse and a Westminster paedophile ring.
West Yorkshire Police's Head of Safeguarding, Detective Chief Inspector Susan Jenkinson said; "Protecting and safeguarding children is our top priority and at the heart of everything we do.
"West Yorkshire Police would like to reassure victims that all reports will be taken seriously and investigated sensitively and thoroughly.
“We have increased resources dedicated to investigating these offences including appointing more staff across all districts. Together with our partners we have improved multi agency working across the police, local authorities and the third sector to ensure a joined up approach to safeguarding.”