Tag: child abuse

NSPCC reveals new survey results ahead of election

NSPCC reveals nine in 10 adults in Scotland are concerned about child abuse – as charity calls on political parties to prioritise children’s safety

  • 87% adults in Scotland are concerned about child abuse and neglect
  • Yet 86% think child abuse and neglect can be prevented
  • NSPCC calling for all political parties in next Scottish Government to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect

Almost nine in 10 adults (87%) in Scotland are concerned about the risk of abuse and neglect facing children but 86% of those who expressed an opinion believe it can be prevented, a new NSPCC survey has revealed.

The Savanta poll of over 1,000 adults in Scotland also found that the majority (54%) believe the risk to children is greater than when they were growing up.

When asked to select the greatest risk facing children, over a third (34%) named online harms and more than one in four (27%) cited poverty and lack of basic resources.

NSPCC Scotland is publishing this data as part of its call to all political parties to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect to improve the lives of babies, children and families in Scotland ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May.

The NSPCC recognises that Scotland has long aspired to give all children the best possible start in life. Yet too often child protection is only prioritised in response to distressing revelations of abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation and death.

The charity believes that children are being failed by fragmented early years policy, overstretched social work services, rising online harms and inconsistent access to healthy relationships education.

In the charity’s recent survey, respondents’ views on how best to address child abuse and neglect included, improve coordination between police, schools, health services and social care in protecting children, and the following:  

  • Better public awareness to help educate adults about the signs of child abuse and how to report it
  • Better education for children on identifying abuse and knowing how to get help
  • Improve training for teachers, health-workers and other frontline professionals in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse

Joanne Smith, NSPCC Scotland policy and public affairs manager, said: “All children have the right to a safe, happy, and healthy childhood.

“Scotland has long aspired to take a preventative approach, but we haven’t made the sustained investment or put in place the strong, lasting governance that’s needed to lead and coordinate this work and turn our shared ambition for children into reality.

“We now have the opportunity to change that. We need to build systems that identify risk early, support families before crisis, and protect children both online and offline.

“Our 5‑Point Plan for Prevention offers a roadmap that the next government can implement from day one. Preventing child abuse and neglect should be a national priority, and long-term commitment, that we invest in.

“We cannot afford to fail another generation of children.”

The charity’s 5‑Point Plan for Prevention calls for the next Scottish Government to:

Invest in babies and very young children to ensure every baby receives consistent, universal services, with early identification of families who need additional specialist support, re-establish early years as a cross-party priority, with a clear focus on parent–infant relationships.

Strengthen the child protection system to improve support for families who are carrying the heaviest load and listen to frontline social workers to understand gaps and pressures. Develop specialist, multi-disciplinary, preventative child protection teams in every area, and introduce a national digital ‘single unique identifier’ to track decisions and progress and ensure continuity and accountability across services. Also, deliver a National Social Work Agency that gives social workers the time, space, tools and confidence to offer early support to vulnerable families with very young children.

Prevent child sexual abuse by taking a public health approach by improving data on the scale and nature of sexual abuse and exploitation against children in Scotland, urgently address the downward trend in recorded concerns about child sexual abuse within social work statistics and design and resource a child protection system that can identify and respond to child sexual abuse.

Keep children safe online by ensuring early years, education, child protection, the voluntary sector and law enforcement work together with clear leadership from the next Scottish Government on prevention and recovery efforts. Consult with children and use this to design online safety policy. Set up a Strategic AI Advisory Group to provide expert advice to Ministers to ensure child safety and equality in all national activity related to AI.

Make healthy relationships education mandatory – as it is an opportunity to make sure that all children and young people know that they have a right to be treated, and responsibility to treat others, with dignity and respect. It can help pupils recognise healthy and unhealthy behaviour, and it helps protect children and young people from abuse.

For more information, visit NSPCC five-point plan.

NSPCC Scotland is urging any adult that has concerns about a child to contact the charity’s helpline or reach out to the relevant local authorities. Adults who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk

Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.  

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Councillor jailed for child sex abuse

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years after being convicted of sexual offences against a teenage girl.

David Graham, a local authority councillor, had been found guilty on Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

The offences took place at various locations in Fife and Edinburgh between February and August, 2023.

Detective Inspector Graham Watson, of the child abuse investigation unit in Glenrothes, said: “Graham is a manipulative individual who groomed and sexually abused his teenage victim. He was well-known and abused his position of power when the offending took place.

“We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and would encourage anyone affected to report it.

“Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, no matter how much time has passed, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Graham held a position of trust and authority in the community which he chose to exploit to groom and sexually abuse a vulnerable teenage girl. She has shown immense courage in helping to ensure that Graham faced justice for his crimes.

“It is now vital she gets the support she needs to move forward with her life. No matter how long ago it happened or who the perpetrator was, we would urge victims of sexual abuse to reach out for help with the knowledge they will be listened to and supported. 

“Childline is available 24/7 for any child or young person who needs someone to speak to by calling 0800 1111 or visiting childline.org.uk.

“Adults with concerns over the wellbeing of a child and victims of abuse can contact the NSPCC Helpline for support and advice on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.” 

Adults across Scotland learn how to spot and report child abuse through Listen Up, Speak Up programme

Staff from NSPCC Scotland’s local campaigns team will be out in force during the school holidays teaching people from various organisations how they can play their part in keeping children safe.

With autumn holidays approaching, the team felt it was a good time to make sure everyone knows what to do if they are concerned about a child so they can play their part in helping to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

Listen Up, Speak Up (LUSU) offers free online or face-to-face training to help adults recognise when a child may be at risk, and what they can do to help.

NSPCC Helpline made 1,103 referrals to local authorities and agencies in Scotland over the last three years over concerns of the neglect of a child, highlighting the importance of LUSU.

The NSPCC Helpline takes calls from adults concerned about children, and practitioners will make referrals to agencies if they feel that further investigation of support is needed.

The NSPCC aims to inspire a million people across the UK to take actions that keep children safe through the Listen Up, Speak Up campaign to create a nation of safeguarders who can support families before they reach crisis point.

After a pilot last year, LUSU was rolled out across the UK in February this year. Sanctuary Housing, SSE, House of Bruar and Montrose Playhouse are among the organisations that have signed up so far in Scotland.

And the local campaigns team have organised a week of activity from October 4 to 11, conducting LUSU workshops across Scotland with organisations such as Glasgow Clyde College, Dads Rock in Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire Rangers.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “It’s been great getting out into communities across Scotland to deliver the important messages of LUSU.

“Everyone wants to play their part in keeping children safe, but it can be difficult to know when and how to act. You will come away from a LUSU session with the knowledge of what to do when you are worried about a child’s safety and wellbeing.

“A lot of people think ‘what if I am wrong?’ but it is more important to think ‘what if I am right?’. That could make a massive difference to child’s life.

“NSPCC Helpline has had to make more than 1,100 referrals for neglect to agencies in Scotland over three years – that’s almost one a day. That lays bare the scale of the problem. We need people across the country to play their part in helping keep children safe.

“If you are part of an organisation which could benefit from a LUSU session, please get in touch.”

To find out more about LUSU in Scotland, visit the NSPCC website or contact scotlandcampaigns@nspcc.org.uk.

One in four adults in Scotland have had concerns a child was being abused or neglected 

  • New survey findings also show more than two in five parents in Scotland have experienced difficulties as a parent they found hard to manage alone.
  • The NSPCC is releasing this data as it aims to inspire a million people to take actions that keep children safe through its Listen up, Speak up campaign.
  • Workshops being offered to groups and organisations across Scotland to help public understand some signs a child might be at risk and the steps to take. 

As a quarter of adults (26%) in Scotland say they have had concerns a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, the NSPCC offers workshops to help people take action.

The YouGov survey of 3,999 adults across the UK, including 344 in Scotland, also revealed that one in five UK adults who have had a concern did not take action.  

Survey results show that the main barriers that prevented people from acting are being unsure about if what was happening was abuse, being worried about making things worse and not being able to prove it.

The children’s charity is releasing this data to show why its new campaign is needed. Listen up, Speak up – through workshops and online training – aims to inspire adults across the UK to play their part in keeping children safe, by taking action to support children and families.  

That might mean stepping in to help juggle childcare, providing a listening ear to a struggling teen, or calling the NSPCC Helpline if they think a child is at risk. 

The NSPCC recognises that parenting can be challenging, and the new poll also found that of the 175 parents in Scotland surveyed:

  • More than two in five (47%) said they have experienced difficulties as a parent that they found hard to manage alone.
  • One in four (25%) said the fear of being judged would stop them seeking help.
  • Almost three out of five (59%) said that if someone offered support they had not asked for, they would be glad someone had stepped in (18%) or be reassured to feel someone was on their side (41%).

The Listen up, Speak up workshops, which are led by the NSPCC and being offered to schools, businesses, organisations and community groups, advise participants on some of the signs that a child might be at risk, how to approach difficult conversations and who to contact if they are concerned about a child or their family.

The workshops are being offered face-to-face and online and people can also complete a 10-minute digital training session. 

Carla Malseed, Local Campaigns Manager for Scotland, said: “We believe that everyone can play a part in keeping children safe, if armed with the knowledge of what to do when concerned a child is at risk.

“This can range from practically supporting a family, being a listening ear or letting someone know about your concerns, such as a parent, a child protection lead for a sports club, or even contacting the NSPCC Helpline.

“In our Listen up, Speak up workshops, we run through different scenarios, talk about the things that stop people raising concerns and give some advice about broaching these conversations, which can be difficult.

“We are really keen to reach as many people as possible through our workshops and would love to hear from any community groups, businesses or organisations that would like to host one.”

The advice is based on the mnemonic DOTS which is designed to address the barriers to people acting on concerns.

DOTS stands for:

  • Don’t ignore it
  • Observe the situation
  • Think: If not you, then who?
  • Speak up.

Workshops are already set to take place across Scotland in the coming weeks, including several at Sanctuary Housing sites in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. Sessions are also set to take place at Montrose Playhouse, House of Bruar, Bike for Good in Glasgow and more.

A series of follow-up emails to the online training will share more advice on how to listen to and support children and families and will introduce some helpful services and resources.  

That includes advice on everyday challenges that families may be facing such as bonding with their baby, parental mental health and keeping their children safe online. 

So far, more than 25,000 people have signed up to Listen up, Speak up digital training.  The charity is striving to reach one million people and organisations across the UK over the next 10 years, inspiring them to take actions in their community. 

NSPCC’s CEO, Sir Peter Wanless, said: “All of us come across children in our daily lives, be this in our neighbourhoods, at our places of work, on our commute or at the supermarket.  

 “At the NSPCC we understand it can be hard to know what to do in a situation where you have a niggling concern about a child’s wellbeing.  

 “Findings from our survey show 73% of UK adults agree that there is a lack of training on what individuals can do to prevent child abuse and neglect, which is where our Listen up, Speak up programme can help. 

 “In just 10 minutes, you can equip yourself with a little bit of knowledge, which can go a long way in helping to keep children and young people safe.” 

To find out more and sign up for online training, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/speakup. To host a workshop, email localcampaigns@nspcc.org.uk  

Justice at last?

Arrests and charges in connection with non-recent abuse at Edinburgh school

Five men, aged between 69 and 90, have been arrested and charged in connection with non-recent abuse incidents at Edinburgh Academy. Reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. A sixth man, aged 74, will also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

The abuse incidents are alleged to have taken place at the school between 1968 and 1992.

Detective Inspector Colin Moffat said: “We would like to thank everyone who has come forward and assisted our enquiries to date.

“While the investigation of child abuse, particularly non-recent offences, can be complex and challenging, anyone who reports this type of crime can be assured that we will listen and we will investigate all reports, no matter when those offences occurred or who committed them.

“If you have suffered abuse, or you know anyone who may have been the victim of child abuse then please call Police Scotland on 101.”

More than 100 families attend first event of new campaign in Edinburgh to help keep children safe from abuse

More than 100 families attended the public launch of the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign in Edinburgh this week.

Children got to meet Pantosaurus, the campaign’s mascot, as well as play games and get their faces painted at the McDonald Road Library on Tuesday (October 17th).

It was the first in-person event for the Talk PANTS campaign in Edinburgh, which will help protect young children from sexual abuse.

The year-long campaign was launched earlier this month (October 5) with an online event for professionals who work with children and families. It is being delivered by NSPCC Scotland, the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and a wide range of partners across the city to spread the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS message.

Talk PANTS gives parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children to help keep them safe from sexual abuse.

With the help of a colourful animated dinosaur, called Pantosaurus, it helps children understand that their body belongs to them, that they have a right to say no and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. 

At the family event there were refreshments, a Bookbug session, colouring in, games and Talk PANTS materials for parents and carers to take away.

Carla Malseed, Local Campaigns Manager at the NSPCC, said: “We were amazed at the turnout in McDonald Road Library. It was great to see how thrilled the children were to meet Pantosaurus.

“This campaign doesn’t use scary words or talk about sex, instead we focus on the PANTS rules that help children understand important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried about something.

“We hope this campaign will provide parents with the knowledge and skills to be able to talk about this difficult topic with their child from a young age, to help prevent abuse.”

Over the coming year, local PANTS champions will be trained to deliver the campaign messages and resources to other professionals and families through webinars and workshops, and awareness raising events will be held across Edinburgh for parents, carers and children.

The campaign materials and resources for parents, include a British Sign Language PANTS video, a Talk PANTS with Makaton guide, which is designed to be used to deliver the PANTS message to children with Additional Support Needs, and a Pantosaurus film. There are also resources for teachers to use in primary schools.

Find out more about Edinburgh Talk PANTS here.

Parents and professionals can also find out how to Talk PANTS here. The adult guides include ones for foster carers and parents with learning disabilities.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice.

Two men convicted for non-recent sexual abuse of children

Two men responsible for the non-recent sexual abuse of children have been convicted.

At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Tuesday, 19 September), Alexander Philip, 57, and Craig Hodgkins, 52, were found guilty of sexual offences against five young people aged between six and 13-years-old between 1978 and 2008.

The conviction followed a Police Scotland investigation after survivors came forward.

Following significant inquiry, the pair were arrested and charged in connection with the crimes, which took place in Edinburgh, Hamilton and Airdrie.

Police Scotland’s Detective Inspector Jonny Wright, who led the investigation, said: “Over the course of three decades, Alexander Philip and Craig Hodgkins subjected their victims to sustained levels of sexual abuse, sometimes together, and other times separately.

“Their offending may have gone undetected had it not been for the survivors coming forward and reporting the circumstances to police.

“The convictions of this pair should serve as a reminder that time is no barrier for Police Scotland to investigate any report of criminality and we will utilise all resources at our disposal to bring perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.”

Philip and Hodgkins will be sentenced later.

NSPCC research reveals offenders are using virtual reality to groom, sexually abuse and share illegal images of children

  • New NSPCC research highlights children are at risk of being sexually abused or exploited when using immersive technology such as VR headsets.
  • Study reveals insight from offenders who are desensitised and say viewing child sexual abuse material on VR headsets is “stupidly easy”.
  • Child Safeguarding & Immersive Technologies includes recommendations for technology companies, government, regulators, and law enforcement on how to tackle abuse in VR environments.

Today, the NSPCC have released a new study highlighting how virtual reality is putting children at risk of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The new research entitled, Child Safeguarding & Immersive Technologies, was undertaken by Limina Immersivewho were commissioned by the children’s charity to assess what present and future risks children may face when using virtual reality.

The research paints a concerning picture of abuse taking place through immersive technology and illustrates the harm that children are already facing in these spaces.

This comes ahead of the Online Safety Bill being debated in the House of Lords this week and emphasises the important role regulation will play in tackling technology assisted child sexual abuse once this ground-breaking piece of legislation has been passed.

Key findings from the research include:

  • VR multiuser spaces provide opportunities for offenders to commit child sexual abuse and exploitation against a child.
  • ‘Phantom touch’* can mean that victims of VR sexual abuse experience the physical sensation of being touched without their consent.
  • Offenders are using simulated child sexual abuse games on the dark web and through private networks that “mirror” the way they would abuse children offline.
  • VR multiuser spaces can desensitise offenders with avatar disguise and anonymity ‘normalising’ their abusive behaviour.
  • Multiuser VR worlds invite the creation of tighter knit offender ‘communities’, allowing for the sharing of child sexual abuse material and harmful behaviours to amplify and escalate.

The research includes insight from law enforcement agencies and experts and contains in-depth interviews with specialist coverts, who for the first time are sharing their information about emerging technologies that may pose risks to children.

UK law enforcement’s Online CSA Covert Intelligence Team (OCCIT) said in the study: “Virtual reality and the metaverse have the potential to be a monumental hurdle for law enforcement, criminal justice, and the safeguarding of vulnerable people. The proposed technology may have implications not seen since the global explosion of internet technologies”.

Crucially, the research includes key recommendations for technology companies, government, regulators, and law enforcement agencies on how to address abuse that takes place on immersive platforms.

Recommendations include:

  • Technology companies must ensure immersive environments are safe by design for children by implementing robust child safety features and reporting systems.
  • Ofcom should work closely with other UK regulatory bodies to develop clear guidance on how immersive technology platforms must assess and respond to the child safety risks on their products.
  • Government must provide more guidance, funding and learning opportunities to law enforcement on how to deal with VR and simulated offences.
  • Government must review the Online Safety Bill (Act) on a rolling basis to ensure that emerging harms are adequately covered under the law.

The research includes testimony from victims who have been groomed in VR and includes an excerpt from “Exposing a VR Cult” by documentary filmmaker BrandonFM.

In the film, one victim who wished to remain anonymous, described their experience of being groomed in virtual reality. They said: “The mental scars that this whole experience has put on my mind are so extreme that I was recently diagnosed with Stockholm Syndrome… it was so normal for [the offender] to have relationships with minors, in the bubble that we lived in… I came out of that situation with severe trust issues, and I am not sure when things will go back to normal”.

The findings from this research are due to be presented to key politicians, government officials and charity partners at an event in Parliament today where the research and its recommendations will be presented to those influencing the new online safety regulatory regime currently making its way through Parliament.

This comes as YouGov research commissioned by the NSPCC shows that the public are concerned about the risks children may face in VR spaces.

When asked, three quarters (75%) of the public said they believe that 6–12-year-olds are at major or significant risk of child sexual abuse on the metaverse while 80% believe that 13-16 year olds are at risk.

Richard Collard, Head of Child Safety Online Policy at the NSPCC, said: “These shocking findings should be a wake-up call to us all about the harm young people are facing when engaging with immersive technology.

“Technology will continue to progress, and so must we to ensure that we can understand the existing and emerging risks that young people face in these virtual spaces.

“As the Online Safety Bill completes its passage through Parliament, it is vital that new and emerging technology forms a crucial part of the online safety regime. This will only be made possible through clear collaboration between educators, parents, policymakers, and the technology industry.”

A specialist covert officer, who was interviewed in the research, said: “Virtual reality headsets and VR spaces are already being misused by those with ill intentions.

“These technologies further expose children to the risk of abuse, whilst at the same time reducing opportunities for intervention, safeguarding and appropriate prosecutions. 

“2023 sees technology being abused in ways that we would not have accurately predicted 12 months ago.

“This underlines the need for legislators, law enforcement and technology companies to work closer together and at a pace that better reflects the rapidly evolving tech landscape.”    

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Over 3,000 child abuse crimes were recorded by Police Scotland in 5 years

  • NSPCC urges UK Government to seize last opportunity to strengthen Online Safety Bill so it creates online spaces for children safe from pervasive abuse

More than 3,100 child abuse image offences were recorded by Police in just five years, the NSPCC reveals as it calls for a more robust Online Safety Bill.

Last year, 662 crimes including the sharing and possession of indecent images of children were recorded by Police Scotland.1

The NSPCC warns that unregulated social media is fuelling online child sexual abuse and behind every offence could be multiple child victims who are continually revictimized as images are shared. 

They said the issue of young people being groomed into sharing images of their own abuse is pervasive and tech bosses are failing to stop their sites being used by offenders to organise, commit and share child sexual abuse.

The charity is calling on the UK Government to give children, including victims of sexual abuse, a powerful voice and expert representation in future regulation by creating a statutory child safety advocate through the Online Safety Bill.

This would ensure that children’s experiences are front and centre of decision making, building safeguarding experience into regulation to prioritise child protection. 

NSPCC analysis of data obtained by FOI from England and Wales police forces shows Snapchat is the social media site offenders most used to share child abuse images where platform data was provided. The app, popular with teens, was used in 43% of instances. Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, which are all owned by Meta, were used in a third (33%) of instances where a site was flagged.

And for the first-time virtual reality environments and Oculus headsets, used to explore the Metaverse, were found to be involved in recorded child sexual abuse image crimes.

The NSPCC said committing to a statutory child safety advocate is crucial to act as an early warning system to identify emerging child abuse risks and ensure they are on the radar of companies and the regulator Ofcom.

The advocate would reflect the experiences of young people and be a statutory counterbalance the power of the big tech lobby to help drive a corporate culture that focusses on preventing abuse.

Holly* called Childline in despair when she was 14. She said: “I am feeling sick with fear. I was talking with this guy online and trusted him. I sent him quite a lot of nude pictures of myself and now he is threatening to send them to my friends and family unless I send him more nudes or pay him.

“I reported it to Instagram, but they still haven’t got back. I don’t want to tell the police because my parents would then know what I did and would be so disappointed.”

Sir Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said: “These figures are alarming but reflect just the tip of the iceberg of what children are experiencing online.

“We hear from young people who feel powerless and let down as online sexual abuse risks becoming normalised for a generation of children.

“By creating a child safety advocate that stands up for children and families the UK Government can ensure the Online Safety Bill systemically prevents abuse.

“It would be inexcusable if in five years’ time we are still playing catch-up to pervasive abuse that has been allowed to proliferate on social media.”

Online Safety Bill amendments

The NSPCC is seeking amendments to the Online Safety Bill as it passes through the House of Lords to improve its response to child sexual abuse.

They are asking Lords to back the creation of a child safety advocate which would mirror statutory user advocacy arrangements that are effective across other regulated sectors.

The amendment would give Ofcom access to children’s voices and experiences in real time via an expert child safety advocate akin to Citizen’s Advice acting for energy and postal consumers.

And after the UK Government committed to holding senior managers liable if their products contribute to serious harm to children the charity says this must also include where sites put children at risk of sexual abuse.

The move would mean bosses responsible for child safety would be held criminally liable if their sites continue to expose children to preventable abuse – which is backed by an overwhelming majority of the public.

Meta Encryption

In response to the latest data, the NSPCC also renewed calls on Meta to pause plans to roll out default end-to-end encryption of Facebook and Instagram messenger services in order to comply with future requirements of the Online Safety Bill.

They said Meta will turn a blind eye to child abuse by making it impossible to identify grooming and the sharing of images making the importance of external bodies such as a child safety advocate even more paramount.

However, the charity said the Online Safety Bill should be seen as an opportunity to incentivise companies to invest in technological solutions to end-to-end encryption that protect adult privacy, the privacy of sexual abuse victims and keep children safe.

Thousands of children disclose abuse for the first time to Childline

  • December and January are common months for children to confide in Childline about abuse for the first time
  • Childline, which is run by children’s charity NSPCC, has been called the ‘fourth emergency service for children’ by its founder Dame Esther Rantzen
  • The helpline for children stays open 24/7 all year, even on Christmas Day
  • Charity relies on volunteers and public donations as two children a minute contact the service

Over the past year Childline has delivered 15,515 counselling sessions to children across the UK, including more than 600 in Scotland, where they have spoken about the abuse they have suffered or are experiencing.

In 2,267 of those counselling sessions children revealed abuse for the first time, ever.

And of these, a fifth of disclosures took place during December 2021 and January 2022, with the youngest child just nine years old.

As the Christmas school holidays are fast approaching the charity is gearing up to keep its 13 Childline bases open 24/7 over the festive period, so they can be there whenever a child chooses to disclose.

When children talk about the sexual, emotional, physical or domestic abuse affecting them for the first time with Childline counsellors, often the same emotions and feelings are described. These include shame, being scared, or worried they were the ones that had done something wrong. Others shared they didn’t know how to tell adults in their life. 

In the last year, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, has also seen:

  • A 20% increase in the number of children under 11 being counselled for sexual abuse, when compared to the year before.
  • More boys revealing online sexual abuse – 45% more than the year before.

Last December a 12-year-old girl from Scotland told a Childline counsellor:

“There is a lot of trouble in my house and I want it to stop. Mum and dad are always shouting, fighting and dad hits mum. Dad smashed the house up today and I was sent upstairs, but I could hear everything. I could hear mum crying – none of this is her fault. I want him to go. Everyone says, ‘Happy Christmas’ but mine was horrible.”

And a 16-year-old girl from Scotland revealed: “My mum’s been really abusive with me lately and I can’t imagine spending the Christmas holidays with her. I need to focus on revising for my mock exams during the school break, but I know this won’t be possible in such a toxic environment.

“She makes me feel like a burden and threatens to kick me out if I get out of line. I’ve tried telling her how she makes me feel, but she just deflects it and makes me feel guilty for bringing it up. I don’t know how I’ll cope and I worry for my mental health.”

The NSPCC is releasing its latest Childline data about abuse as it launches its ‘Be here for children’ Christmas appeal, which shows why it is vitally important Childline stays open over the festive period, as statutory services close down.

The charity is growing increasingly concerned to see the number of children needing support, in particular for abuse and neglect, when the system is struggling to cope, and the cost-of-living crisis will likely leave more families needing help this Winter. 

Last year, Police Scotland recorded more than 5,500 crimes of child sexual abuse. The NSPCC says this data underlines the importance of the Scottish Government making child protection a national priority in 2023.

Amber (not her real name) was sexually abused by a family member when she was 9 years old. She’s been working with the NSPCC to raise awareness of child abuse and the importance of speaking out. 

She said: “Christmas was just another day to me, and I resented it. It’s a time usually considered for family and celebration. But for me, it felt like a very dark and lonely place, and ultimately, it meant having to spend time with my abuser.”

Amber can’t remember why she decided to call Childline and speak out about the abuse she was experiencing, but knew she needed someone to help her.

“I couldn’t find the words to tell my mum. But Childline finally made me feel like someone understood. When you disclose, the one big fear is that no-one will believe you. But the counsellors I spoke to were so empathetic, helpful, and kind. They knew I was telling the truth. And they gave me that bravery, that reassurance that people would believe me, and that I was doing the right thing by speaking out.”

In its new TV advert, the NSPCC highlights that on average, two children a minute contact Childline. For these children, Christmas can be the worst time of year.

The advert is based on real calls from children. Through three seemingly ordinary family scenes at Christmas we see what’s really going on for the children, with stories of loss, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse.

Dame Esther Rantzen, Founder of Childline said: “I truly believe Childline is the fourth emergency service for children. We are there when children disclose abuse, we are there when they are feeling suicidal, we are there 24/7 when others aren’t.

“Our service relies heavily on volunteers and donations to be here for children, and like everyone else we are starting to feel the effects of the cost of living.

“Every minute, two children will contact us, and its vital no call goes unanswered, particularly over Christmas when most services close leaving those children who are struggling isolated and scared.”

“It is essential that Childline is here as a vital lifeline for those children and that they can get the help they need and deserve even on Christmas day.”

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: “The Christmas holidays can be one of the most difficult times of the year for children, and they often need somewhere to go to confide. It is vitally important they know that Childline is here for them throughout the holidays to provide free and confidential help and advice.

“It is crucial that everyone recognises they have a part to play when it comes to keeping children safe from abuse, including government. 2022 has been a year where the importance of child protection has come to the forefront, 2023 needs to be the year of meaningful change.”

Help us be here for all children this Christmas by visiting the NSPCC website to donate. Together, we can keep children safe

The Childline service is here for children every day, even on Christmas Day. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

When a child needs help, Childline can be a lifeline. When a child feels like they have nowhere else to turn to, it’s vital that the NSPCC is here, ready to listen and support children across the UK.