NSPCC reveals 20 per cent increase in child abuse crimes in London - with 13 cases reported each day

Abuse: The NSPCC warned that reported cases of child sex abuse are rising
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Chloe Chaplain23 March 2017
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The number of child sex offences reported in London has risen by over 20 per cent in the last year.

Latest figures released by the NSPCC revealed that crimes against children rose from 3,911 in 2015 to 4,794 the following year.

The Met police statistics suggest that, on average, 13 children are the victim of sex crimes each day.

More than 800 of the abuse cases reported relate to children under 10-years-old – with quarter involving those aged four or younger.

Abuse: The NSPCC today revealed that 13 sex offences against children are reported every day in London (Picture: Rex)
REX

Examples of child sex offences include rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

In response to the “shocking” figures, the NSPCC has called for specialist training for officers investigating online child abuse.

The children’s charity has also backed rehabilitation for child sex offenders and early support for victims of abuse.

Janet Hinton, schools service manager for London, 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. Now, more than ever, victims need help as soon as possible to help them recover from their ordeals and go on to lead full and happy lives.

"The Government must commit funds to early intervention that better help these children who through no fault of their own are enduring so much pain.”

The NSPCC suggested that the rise in reported cases could be partly a result of more victims coming forward or an improvement in police records.

But it warned that many victims are still not reporting abuse and argued that the actual number of crimes against children could be much higher.

The charity also highlighted online grooming as a “major problem” for children as it enabled predators to access multiple victims.

Across the UK there were 55,507 cases reported between 2015 and 2016 – the equivalent to 6.3 cases every hour.

The NSPCC has visited more than 500 schools in London in an attempt to educate them about its Speak Out. Stay Safe programme.

The programme aims to teach young children about the signs of abuse in a bid to encourage them to report such crimes.

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