Huge rise in reports of emotional abuse against UK children
THE number of children in Wales saying they are being emotionally abused has more than trebled, according to new figures released by the NSPCC today.
A child protection report carried out by the charity found that the number of people contacting the NSPCC helpline regarding emotional abuse had risen from 112 to 344 in seven years.
This has been mirrored across the UK.
Helpline staff have been told by children that their parents have said they hate them or wished they were dead, threatened them with extreme violence and blamed them for issues such as unemployment or financial problems.
It is feared that the scale of the problem is much larger than the figures reflect.
The charity is calling on the UK government to commission a nationwide study to look at the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in the UK.
Head of NSPCC Cymru Des Mannion said: “Hearing reports from our helpline about parents or carers who are consistently verbally assaulting, bullying, isolating or humiliating their children is devastating. The huge increase in people recognising and reporting emotional abuse to our helpline indicates people are willing to take action, but the disturbing truth is that the UK has no idea how many other children are suffering from emotional abuse or, in fact, any type of abuse.
“We urgently need government to step in now, before another eight years go by, and commission a study that gives us the clearest picture of the extent of child abuse and neglect in the UK.”
In Wales there were nearly 500 referrals over the last two years, with 205 in 2015-16 and 272 in 2016-17.
Among effects that emotional abuse can have on a child are a feeling of worthlessness or of being unloved. It can also affect a child’s development, leading to issues in later life such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance misuse or suicidal feelings.
Children who are emotionally abused may also be experiencing or be at risk of another form of abuse or neglect, such as physical abuse.
Helpline practitioners have identified three common themes raised by callers when they are reporting or voicing concerns that a child has been emotionally abused.
These included domestic violence, alcohol or substance abuse, and mental health issues.
The NSPCC has published advice on the signs you may notice in a child’s actions or emotions. These include: Being overly affectionate towards strangers or people they haven’t known for very long;
a lack of confidence or becoming wary or anxious;
being aggressive or nasty towards other children or animals;
struggling to control emotions or having extreme outbursts;
lacking in social skills or having few, if any, friends.
The last study of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect was conducted in 2009 by the NSPCC.
Contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 8005000 if you are an adult and worried about a child.