Victims of child sex abuse are being failed
NSPCC highlight problem All-star cast good enough to headline festival
CHILDREN suffering sexual abuse in Scotland are going without help because of a lack of specialist recovery services.
More than 900 sexual crimes against children under the age of 13, including rape and sexual assault, were reported to Police Scotland last year.
But research by NSPCC Scotland shows that, despite a greater spotlight on child sexual abuse in the past 10 years and several highprofile abuse cases reaching the courts, access to recovery services remains patchy.
The NSPCC have also found that more than half of the 17 local authority areas included in the latest research have no specialist service for children of primary school age who need help, while 15 of the 17 have no service for children aged under five years.
The new report, which focuses on west central Scotland, where more than half of the nation’s child population live, will be launched at the Scottish Parliament today at an event chaired by Labour MSP Johann Lamont.
The charity are calling for the adoption of a multidisciplinary model, where support for children’s Moved by what you’ve read? text text text psychological and emotional recovery following sexual abuse is available along with forensic services and facilities to help them give the best evidence to secure justice.
Matt Forde, national head of NSPCC Scotland, said this new report shows children are being failed.
“We’ve seen recently how difficult it is for adults to come forward and report experiences of sexual abuse,” he said. “Think how much harder it is then for children, especially if their abuser is in their own family.
“Only one in eight cases of child sexual abuse is thought to come to the attention of agencies, so these young people we know of are just the tip of the iceberg. Abused children suffer terribly and we must make sure they get the support they need.”
Sandie Barton, Rape Crisis Scotland director of operations, said: “More and more young people are coming forward at our centres and demand is at an unprecedented level.
“We know from survivors that failing to provide timely access to appropriate support can have far-reaching consequences. Children, young people and their families deserve better.” Text costs include your donation of £4, £12 or £20 plus your standard network rate. The NSPCC will receive 100% of your donation. Find out how we work to keep more children safe every day at nspcc.org.uk. IT WAS a line-up Glastonbury would be proud of. From Alice Cooper and Tom Jones to Roger Daltrey and the Rolling Stones, some of the greatest rockers of all time gathered in London this week for a photography exhibition. The collection of veteran singers and musicians was less about raising hell and more about raising money for charity. But the pop legends showed they still know how to have a great night out.
They gathered at the V&A Museum for an exhibition by star photographer Alistair Morrison, in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, whose patron Sir Roger Daltrey has raised more than £17million for the charity.
He was joined by an incredible supergroup including Carl Palmer, of Emerson, Lake and Palmer fame, Sir Tom Jones, Kenney Jones of The Small Faces, Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, former Stone Bill Wyman and Scots-born folk hero Donovan, with wife Linda.
Donovan, from Glasgow’s Maryhill, performed at the event.
Alice Cooper, Ray Davies, Peter Frampton, Brix Smith Start from The Fall, Peter Gabriel, UB40’s Ali Campbell and Paul Weller completed the all-star cast.
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