Barnardo’s report doubling in number of child sex abuse victims seeking help

A surge in the number of children as young as 10 seeking help for sex abuse has seen demand on services more than double in just five years, according to Barnardo’s.

The charity said it is in desperate need of a £500,000 funding injection to cope with a 169% increase across the UK for its experts, after providing help to 3,200 vulnerable children last year alone.

The figure is more than twice the 1,190 children who were helped by Barnardo’s in 2010 and the charity warned it is finding victims “everywhere”.

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan (pictured) said widespread publicity of high-profile sex abuse cases in recent years had helped to raise awareness that in turn has helped the charity to identify sufferers and children at risk.

He said: “We urgently need more funds to give sexually exploited children the vital support they need. Every penny the public gives will help us make a difference to a young person’s life.

“High profile child sexual exploitation cases across the UK have raised people’s awareness about sexual exploitation and what it is. This has led to better identification of victims and those at risk but everywhere we go we find more young people needing our services.

“We all need to be aware any child can become a victim of this horrific form of abuse, regardless of where they live or their background. Barnardo’s will always strive to help protect these vulnerable children.”

As referrals have rocketed the charity has increased its capacity, opening 11 new services in the last 12 months.

The charity now has 59 centres around the country where its experts support victims of child sexual exploitation, some who are just 10 years old.

However they say the current coverage “is not enough” as they appealed for extra funds to deal with the “horrific” abuse children are suffering.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Reports to police about child sexual abuse are at record levels, but current services do not reflect this surge. We also know recorded abuse is just scratching the surface of the total number of victims out there.

“As more and more children bravely speak out against their abusers it’s vital therapeutic services are there to help them move forward positively from their horrendous experiences. Last week we launched our Its Time campaign to pressurise the Government into prioritising this vulnerable and often forgotten group of children.”

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