- Last December, NSPCC’s Helpline service received almost 5,400 contacts from an adult with concerns for a child. Of these, three quarters were about abuse.
- The charity is reminding adults and young people that their Helpline and Childline services are here for them right through the festive period.
- The Childline Christmas campaign continues to highlight how the next few weeks can be the most dangerous time of year for some children.
The NSPCC will be responding to thousands of child protection concerns during the Christmas countdown and right through the festive period.
Last December the charity’s Helpline received 5,384 contacts from an adult with concerns about a child, with three quarters of these being about emotional, physical and sexual abuse (including online) and neglect.
Around a third of these contacts came from parents or carers and a fifth from neighbours and members of the community.
The Helpline was just as busy across the 12 Days of Christmas – December 24 to January 4 – dealing with almost 2,000 child welfare contacts sent via email and shared over the phone.
One in six (17%) of contacts over the 12 Days of Christmas were deemed so serious that NSPCC practitioners made referrals to the local authorities or emergency services for further attention and action.
A carer told the NSPCC Helpline: “I’m calling about the family next door. It’s just the parents and their child who’s around 3 or 4. I can hear them shouting and screaming such awful things at the child, and at each other, pretty much every day.
“It seems like it’s been getting worse over Christmas. This is no place to raise a child. Is there anything you can do to help?”
The NSPCC Helpline is a dedicated service which helps adults with concerns about children. These can be related to a child’s safety and wellbeing or for adults seeking guidance and support on issues that affect young people.
Child protection specialists are on hand to advise and can, if necessary, refer the concern to a different organisation. The Helpline will be open to provide help and support across the festive period.
Children are also directly contacting the charity through Childline about a range of issues, with the NSPCC-service delivering over 2,700 counselling sessions related to abuse across the winter period.
A child, aged 13 told Childline: “I’m scared of visiting my mum on Christmas. She and her sisters call me names and yell at me.
“They told me I won’t get any presents because of how I behaved this year, but all my siblings will. It’s so unfair!”
In response the NSPCC is running a hard-hitting campaign shining a light on how, for some children, Christmas is the most dangerous time of year. The campaign advert, now showing on TV and running across radio, is inspired by the true story of a woman who was abused by her father.
Lived Experience Advocate, Sarah, who inspired the Christmas advert, said: “Christmas Day used to be so special to me, I used to love dressing up in nice dresses and jewellery, then one day I never wanted to dress up again as my father assaulted me while wearing a new skirt.
“He would use the festive period as another way to exert power over me and manipulate me. He would make me ‘earn’ my presents each year, which he often ended up selling when he ran out of money.
“I was nine when I first called Childline to disclose my abuse and ended up speaking to a wonderful counsellor who made me feel listened to and safe These conversations encouraged me to seek further support and, eventually, my father was convicted of his crimes against me.
“This Christmas, I would urge every child to speak out if something doesn’t feel right. Childline is here for every child who has a concern and they don’t know where to turn to.”
Adeniyi Alade, Service Head for NSPCC headlines in Scotland, said: “Christmas should be a time of joy, but for too many children in Scotland it can be a difficult time.
“Behind the statistics are young people who feel frightened, neglected or unheard — and that’s why Childline is here every day, including throughout the festive period. Whether it’s worries about abuse, bullying or simply feeling alone, our counsellors are ready to listen and support children whenever they need us.
“We know that the pressures families face at this time of year — from financial strain to heightened tensions at home — can make life even harder for children living in unsafe or unhappy situations. By speaking out, children can take the first step towards safety and support, and Childline will always be here to make sure their voices are heard.
“Our Helpline is a place for adults who have concerns over the welfare of a child, but don’t know where to turn to. We have trained experts who know how to handle concerns and when and where to make referrals, giving a child the best chance of being safe and well looked after this Christmas period.”
Kam Thandi, Helpline Director, said: “Our Helpline figures reveal how thousands of adults are reaching out to us with concerns about children’s safety as we move through December and into the festive period.
“We know that Christmas can place extra pressures on people – financial strain, increased alcohol consumption, families spending more time together in close quarters – can all contribute to situations where children are at risk.
“Behind every one of the contacts we receive throughout December is an adult who cared enough to speak up, and in many cases, that call has led to vital interventions to protect a child.
“While the NSPCC Helpline is there for adults, our Childline service is also available to all children to talk about their concerns. Trained counsellors are here 24/7, including throughout the festive period, to listen to young people’s concerns and provide advice.”
This Christmas, Childline is reminding young people that it is there for them 24/7 via the phone on 0800 1111 and online through the 121 chat on the Childline website.
Any adults concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk or by calling 0808 800 5000.