Four sex offences take place in Kent against children each day
‘Police methods have improved’
An average of four sex offences are committed against children in Kent every day, according to the latest figures.
The number of victims rose to 1,571 in 2015/16 and the crimes against them included rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
A total of 585 offences were recorded against children aged 10 and under and 185 against children four and under, some of whom were too young to attend primary school.
It amounts to an 18% increase on the 1,337 offences recorded by police in Kent in 2014/15.
The NSPCC, which obtained the figures, says the increase could be down to online grooming becoming a major problem with predators able to reach many victims.
To cope with the numbers of children coming forward, the NSPCC is calling for specialist training for police investigating online child abuse, effective rehabilitation for child sex offenders and investment in early intervention services to help youngsters recover.
While the latest figures are shocking, there are concerns the total number of sex offences committed against children could be even higher due to youngsters not coming forward because they are frightened, embarrassed, or do not realise they have been abused.
A campaign called Speak Out. Stay Safe from the NSPCC is teaching a generation of children about the signs of abuse and who to turn to for support. Last year volunteers from the charity delivered the service to 125 schools in Kent and spoke to 10,514 children.
Sarah Walker, schools area coordinator for Kent, said: “This steep rise lays bare just how extensive this appalling crime against children has become, claiming multiple victims every hour, some of whom are yet to say their first word. Sexual abuse can shatter a child’s life and leave them feeling ashamed, depressed, or even suicidal.”
She said victims need help as soon as possible to help recover from ordeals and urged the government to commit funding to an early intervention programme. One reason behind the rise is that high profile cases mean victims are more confident about coming forward, the NSPCC says.
The charity also says it believes police forces have improved their recording methods.
It sent the 43 police forces across England and Wales a Freedom of Information request asking the number of reported sexual offences against under-18s.
Not all responded, but it found 55,507 cases were reported across UK (49,330 in England and Wales in 2015/16, a 19% increase 2014/15. This amounts to an average of 6.3 offences an hour across the UK.
The NSPCC says the central focus of every sentence for a convicted child sex offender needs to be a programme that has been proved to effectively change behaviour and stop abuse and reoffending.