Children being ‘failed’ as sex abuse cases soar
ONE-IN-SIX girls will fall victim to some form of sexual abuse before their 16th birthday.
And it is estimated five per cent of boys will also be attacked before reaching the same age.
The National Crime Agency said it also believed more than two thirds of all child sex abuse victims were targeted by relatives.
And it fears estimates are lower than the true numbers due to under-reporting of offences.
England’s Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said it was “truly shocking” that at least 16 per cent of girls were likely to have been abused or groomed by paedophiles online. And she added too many were being “failed”. The figures are highlighted in the NCA’S Strategic Threat Assessment.
In it, director-general Graeme Biggar said: “Estimates indicate that one in 10 children experienced child sexual abuse before the age of 16.This occurs to one in six girls and one in 20 boys.
“However, all forms of child sexual abuse remain consistently under-reported. It is estimated about two thirds of sexual abuse takes place within the family environment, which remains challenging to detect due to the hidden nature.”
In response, Dame Rachel said: “Keeping children safe from sexual abuse is the responsibility of the whole of society, and a responsibility we are clearly failing in far too often.
“I want England to be the best and safest place in the world to grow up – that means robust safeguards for children in their online lives, learning the lessons about how children in care have been failed in the past, and ensuring our child protection system is strong.”
Last week, the NSPCC also revealed online sexual grooming of children has soared. Richard
Collard, the charity’s Head of Child Safety Online Policy, said: “Research showed that online grooming crimes have increased by more than 80 per cent in five years.
“Next month, MPS can pass the Online Safety Bill which will force tech companies to finally tackle how their platforms contribute to child sexual abuse and make sure their current and future services do not put children at unacceptable risk.”
Michelle Lee-izu, of Barnardo’s, added: “Until the Bill becomes law, children will remain at risk, and social media companies must be more proactive in tackling sexual abuse on their platforms.”
Ian Critchley, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for child protection, said: “These figures highlight the focus and priority that all of society must place on tackling these awful crimes.
“We encourage anyone who is a victim, or is concerned it is taking place, to come forward.
“Our officers recognise the challenges many victims and survivors must overcome to report offences committed against them, especially when they involve family members.”
‘Online grooming up more than 80% in five years’