NSPCC report reveals rise in sexual offences against children in Cambridgeshire
- Credit: Archant
The number of sexual offences against children recorded by police in Cambridgeshire increased by nine per cent last year, according to the NSPCC. Reported incidents rose from 317 in 2012-2013, to 344 in 2013-2014.
And, last year, 66 calls received by the NSPCC’s helpline from people in Cambridgeshire about sexual abuse were so serious that they were referred on immediately to the police or children’s services.
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: “These figures are disturbing and clearly illustrate child sexual abuse is a continuing and widespread problem that needs urgent action.
“But we know this is still only a fraction of the true number of victims because some endure an agonising wait of many years before telling anyone – and others never reveal what has happened to them.
“It’s time to throw down the gauntlet to government which has to ensure all sexual abuse victims get specialist treatment to help them recover. By the end of this current Parliament there should be no children living in the shadow of abuse.”
The figures were revealed as the NSPCC launched its third state of the nation annual report at the charity’s annual conference in London.
The report compiles the most robust and up-to-date child protection data that exists across each of the four nations in the UK.
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Mr Wanless added: “It’s not clear why the number of offences has risen. Greater awareness may be giving more victims the courage to come forward, including those reporting historical cases, or police forces have improved their recording methods. “However it does mean that more children are speaking out, only to find little support to help them recover from abuse.”
