Child Abuse Could Rise During ‘Crunch’

THERE is a risk child abuse may rise as economic gloom takes grip and local leaders have urged every resident in Perth and Kinross to help safeguard the county’s kids.

When the annual report of the Child Protection Committee was put before Perth and Kinross’s community safety committee this week, Fair City Councillor Alexander Stewart queried if the current financial crisis could impact on the treatment of local youngsters.

Bill Atkinson, Perth and Kinross Council’s head of children and families services, confirmed, as unusual as it sounded, there was a real chance the economic downturn could result in a rise in child abuse.

Figures show the most common type of child abuse in Perth and Kinross is physical neglect.

Mr Atkinson explained: “Across Scotland we have seen a significant rise in the abuse of substances such as drugs and alcohol and this has had an affect on the rise in the number of children abused.

“Child abuse is also linked to poverty, but it has to be said there are many families in a poor situation that don’t turn to substance abuse,” he said.

Reflecting on recent high-profile abuse cases which have hit the UK headlines, convenor of the community safety committee Councillor Willie Robertson said: “We have to monitor carefully in light of events in other parts of Britain.

“I can assure we are doing our best to monitor the situation and our officers are dedicated.”

And Cllr Robertson went on to appeal to every person in Perth and Kinross to speak up if they have concerns about any child.

“I would urge anyone who has any concern not to keep it to themselves but to report it to the police, their local councillor or social work department to ensure action is taken.

“It is everyone’s job to safeguard children,” he stressed.

Bill Atkinson, also the chairman of the child protection committee, explained: “The area we are most anxious about is those who don’t report things because they don’t want to get involved.

“We can assure them that if they want to remain anonymous they will.

“At the very least pass the information on to people who are able to make a call,” he appealed.

Councillors and officials had gathered to discuss the annual child protection report which they admitted made “sobering reading”.

The number of abused children on the protection register has risen over the last year and, between June 2007 and June 2008, 109 youngsters were registered, with the main type of maltreatment being physical neglect.

Child protection committee members reported that in line with national trends, “this directly reflects the increase in domestic abuse, substance misuse and complex needs”.