Abuse affecting ‘1 in 10 children’

One in ten British children is being abused or neglected at home and most are ignored by social workers, as well as the country’s politicians, charities are claiming.

As many as 1.5million youngsters are estimated to suffer abuse each year but only 550,000 are referred to social services.

Over-worked care departments are allocating a social worker to only 35,100 of these, according to figures published today.

Campaigner Camila Batmanghelidjh said: ‘We’ve got a social services system that’s just not fit for purpose. It can’t cope with the serious level of child abuse in Britain.’

The warning comes as Metro teams up with two pioneering charities, trying to transform the lives of Britain’s ‘lost generation’.

They are launching a research project to prove abuse can physically damage the brain as well as cause psychological harm.

Kids Company and MyGeneration say the major parties ignored the plight of abused youngsters during the election campaign.

They claim two children a week die through child abuse and neglect but only a handful of cases come to widespread attention.

Instead, over-worked, under-funded social services departments are having to make ruthless, ‘Sophie’s Choice’-style decisions on who to help – and who to leave.

Ms Batmanghelidjh, founder of Kids Company, said: ‘They’re having to create their own thresholds of intervention – say, helping children who are being sexually abused through penetration, but not just touching.’

Shaun Bailey, of MyGeneration, called for an overhaul of benefits and more ‘tough love’ services for streetwise youths.