ADULTS are being called on to report any suspicions they may have about child sexual abuse as offences recorded by police remain close to record levels.
Children’s charity, the NSPCC, has put out the call after Freedom of Information data it requested revealed there were 86,962 child sexual offences recorded by police across the UK in 2022/23.
Types of offences included rape, sexual assault, sexual grooming and sexual exploitation. The majority of crimes where age was known were perpetrated against 11 to 15-year-olds.
In the West Midlands, 8,265 offences were recorded by police forces.
The charity said there were 4,175 recorded by West Midlands Police, 2,126 recorded by West Mercia Police, 875 cases at Warwickshire Police and 1,089 recorded at Staffordshire Police.
The NSPCC has launched a new campaign in partnership with the Home Office to tackle child sexual abuse.
Together they are encouraging the public to contact the charity’s Helpline if they are concerned that a child could be at risk.
The partnership will also encourage people to report on instances where there are concerns that a child might be experiencing sexual abuse.
The Home Office is providing funding for the NSPCC Helpline to increase capacity as well as to raise awareness of the service to the public and professionals.
Adults, including family, friends and professionals, can contact the Helpline for guidance and support on issues affecting children, as well as for cases of suspected child abuse.
Kam Thandi, helpline director at the NSPCC, said: “The high numbers of child sexual offences being reported by police forces across the UK are a warning to us all that more must be done to tackle this abuse.
“This new Helpline campaign, in partnership with the Home Office, will encourage the general public and professionals to reach out with concerns about child sexual abuse. All of us must play our part in protecting children.
“The Helpline deals with concerns about children, no matter how big or small, and we’re encouraging adults to contact us. What is shared could be life-changing for a child experiencing sexual abuse.”
Any adults concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline at [email protected] or by calling 0808 800 5000.
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or here.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
