Recorded sexual offences against children have reached an all-time high according to figures released today by the NSPCC.
There were76,204 recorded sexual offences against children in the UK in 2018/19 – a rise of over 60% since 2014/15.
Offences included rape, grooming and sexual assault.
Where age of victim was provided, 16,773 offences were recorded against children aged 10 and under while 341 of the offences against babies under the age of one.
Children who suffered sexual abuse need extensive support but overstretched services are failing to keep pace with demand says the organisation who are calling for a radical reshaping of how support is delivered across the country.
Children who suffered sexual abuse need extensive support but overstretched services are failing to keep pace with demand.
Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said:
“Record numbers of child sexual offences means we are facing a nationwide crisis in the help available for tens of thousands of children.
“These children are bravely disclosing what happened to them but in too many cases there is not enough timely, joined up and child-friendly support. Instead they are shunted from overstretched service to service.
“We need a radical rethink in the way we help these young people, otherwise they could struggle for the rest of their lives with long term, deep seated trauma.”
