62 referrals made in county over child neglect concerns in past 12 months
A CHILDREN’S charity has revealed that 62 referrals were made to authorities over child neglect concerns in Carmarthenshire in 2018.
They were among more than 600 made across the whole of Wales and, according to the NSPCC Wales Appeal Board chairman Alan Peterson, the charity is contacted on average 55 times a day by adults from across the UK worried about neglect.
The charity’s helpline hears from concerned adults with reports ranging from children being left unsupervised or with inadequate clothing, to being screamed at or living among mouldy food and animal faeces.
Many of these concerns were so serious that they were referred to agencies, including local authorities and the police.
Statistics show 2,874 sexual offences against children aged under 16 were recorded by police in Wales last year.
Nearly 6,000 children are in care and 2,690 are on the child protection register.
Mr Peterson argued the need to put an end to the suffering of vulnerable young people is as great as ever.
“It’s our sad experience that when our teams visit a school to talk to pupils about the vital work we do, we find that on average two children in every classroom have suffered abuse or neglect.
“Our role has never been more crucial. We advise and reassure frightened young people, offering a way out of what can seem to them to be a downward spiralling, inescapable situation.”
During the Christmas and new year period extended family members often get in touch with the NSPCC after spending more time with a young relative and becoming concerned for the child’s welfare.
While accepting a £1,990 cheque towards the NPCC’s work from Care Forum Wales, which represents nearly 500 independent social care providers, he said the need to put an end to the suffering of vulnerable young people was clear.
The money was raised at the Wales Care Awards, known as the social care Oscars, which are organised annually to recognise the skill and dedication of the sector’s unsung heroes and heroines.
In addition, individual members of Care Forum Wales are raising thousands of pounds for the charity.
To raise awareness of child neglect, the most common type of abuse affecting children in the UK, the NSPCC has launched its Light For Every Childhood campaign. The appeal is calling for donations to the
NSPCC Helpline so they can answer more calls and help children suffering neglect.
As part of its work, NSPCC Wales experts visit schools regularly to educate and communicate with children about the charity’s work and reach out to those who may not otherwise know where to turn.
In the past 12 months, via its Speak Out and Stay Safe campaign, volunteers and staff visited 485 schools in Wales and delivered important information about NSPCC services to 72,284 children. The eventual aim is to visit all Welsh schools. Mr Peterson said: “We con- tinually encounter young victims who may be experiencing problems at school, at home or in the wider community.
“Abuse takes so many different forms and affects children from all backgrounds. We’re not just talking of physical violence, but emotional torment and neglect.
“The advance of the internet and social media has also increased dangers facing children and escalated the potential for abuse.”
Mr Peterson added: “Technology has given bullies more ammunition with which to prey on their victims. It used to be that a child being bullied in a school playground, for instance, could at least get some respite at home, but now a bully can invade that home via texts and other forms of social media messages.”