Heartbreaking surge in NSPCC calls from abused disabled children

... and how you can help them

THE number of desperate disabled children calling Childline for help has surged by 13% in the past year.

More than 8,000 contacted the charity, meaning it provided an average of 22 counselling sessions every day.

And there are fears the number of kids facing abuse and neglect due to a disability could be even higher.

It is just one of the reasons why the Daily Mirror chose the NSPCC and Childline for this year’s Christmas appeal, to help raise funds needed to ensure every call can be answered.

At present, Childline only has the resources to tackle three-quarters of calls, meaning some 20 calls and online chats an hour cannot be picked up.

Research shows disabled children are three times more likely to be abused or neglected but are less likely to get the protection and support they need.

John Cameron, NSPCC head of helplines, said: “It’s concerning to see so many disabled children contacting Childline but this could be only the tip of the iceberg. Disabled young people are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and we need to ensure that support and advice is available to all those who could find themselves in difficult or dangerous situations.

“Childline counsellors will continue to support as many disabled young people as possible to ensure they have the ability to live without fear of prejudice.”

The most common conditions recorded by Childline included autism, learning difficulties, physical disabilities and ADHD.

A boy of nine told staff: “I get bullied going to school and coming back because I wear glasses and have a funnylooking eye. I asked my school for help but was told they couldn’t do anything about bullying outside school.”

An 11-year-old said: “I want to make friends but people make fun of me, they call me a freak and it makes me sad.”