Concerns about child safety: NSPCC Helpline prepares for busy Christmas in North West
Almost 370 referrals were made in the region last December
The NSPCC is getting ready to cope with an anticipated rise in child protection concerns during the Christmas period, with its Helpline and Childline services offering critical support throughout December and beyond.
Last December, the charity’s Helpline service received 5,384 contacts from adults with concerns about children, with three quarters of these calls relating to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse and neglect.
In the North West, 369 referrals were made to local authorities or emergency services from the Helpline, with 348 relating to concerns about abuse affecting children.
What happens during the festive period?
Christmas is known to be one of the most challenging times of the year for many children. The NSPCC shared that its Helpline continued to be busy during the 12 Days of Christmas (24th December – 4th January), handling nearly 2,000 contacts relating to child welfare from across the UK.
Of these, 17% resulted in referrals to local authorities or emergency services due to the severity of concerns raised.
A carer who reached out to the NSPCC Helpline said: “I’m calling about the family next door. It’s just the parents and their child who’s around 3 or 4. I can hear them shouting and screaming such awful things at the child, and at each other, pretty much every day. It seems like it’s been getting worse over Christmas. This is no place to raise a child. Is there anything you can do to help?”
Services supporting children directly
The NSPCC’s Childline service also received thousands of contacts during the winter months last year, including over 2,700 counselling sessions related to abuse.
One young caller, aged 13, told them: “I’m scared of visiting my mum on Christmas. She and her sisters call me names and yell at me. They told me I won’t get any presents because of how I behaved this year, but all my siblings will. It’s so unfair!”
Running alongside these critical services is the charity’s campaign to highlight how Christmas represents the most dangerous time of year for some children.
The NSPCC advert currently airing on TV and radio is inspired by survivor Sarah’s story, which she shared to encourage more children to seek help if they feel unsafe.
Sarah said: “I was nine when I first called Childline to disclose my abuse. These conversations encouraged me to seek further support and, eventually, my father was convicted of his crimes against me.
“This Christmas, I would urge every child to speak out if something doesn’t feel right. Childline is here for every child who has a concern and they don’t know where to turn to.”
Helpline and Childline remain open
Kam Thandi, Helpline Director at the NSPCC, said: “Our Helpline figures reveal how thousands of adults are reaching out to us with concerns about children's safety as we move through December and into the festive period.
“We know that Christmas can place extra pressures on people – financial strain, increased alcohol consumption, and families spending more time together in close quarters - can all contribute to situations where children are at risk.
“While the NSPCC Helpline is there for adults, our Childline service is also available to all children to talk about their concerns. Trained counsellors are here 24/7, including throughout the festive period, to listen to young people’s concerns and provide advice.”
This Christmas, Childline is reminding young people that it is there for them 24/7 via the phone on 0800 1111 or through the 121 chat option on the Childline website.
Anyone concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline at [email protected] or by calling 0808 800 5000.