'One in six': Local charity says child sexual abuse is a crisis as demand for support soars
It says technology-assisted child sexual abuse and online exploitation are creating new and evolving risks for children.
Last updated 20 hours ago
A specialist charity supporting children affected by sexual abuse in Suffolk and Norfolk says a new report revealing one in six children in England and Wales experience sexual abuse before the age of 18 should serve as a "wake-up call", warning demand for support has risen by more than 150% in some parts of the region.
The latest research from the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse estimates that around one in six children experience sexual abuse before they turn 18, significantly higher than the previous estimate of one in ten.
Brave Futures, which provides specialist support to children and young people across Suffolk and Norfolk, says the findings reflect what it has been witnessing through its own services for some time.
The charity says referrals have increased dramatically in recent years, with some rural and coastal areas seeing demand rise by more than 150 per cent compared with the previous year. At the same time, it says technology-assisted child sexual abuse and online exploitation are creating new and evolving risks for children.
Hannah Walker, Engagement and Fundraising Manager at Brave Futures, said hearing the revised estimate had left her with "mixed emotions".
"It was sadness first and foremost," she said.
"But also an odd sense of relief because we know it's been one in six for some time.
"Now we have this point of reference to say to the general public, to services, commissioners and people in authority: this is the severity of the situation.
"I hope now it's the wake-up call. It shouldn't have taken this long. One in ten was hard enough, but now we're at one in six.
"Ultimately, I just feel like we're failing children."
Waiting more than a year for support
Walker said the increase in referrals is beginning to place unprecedented pressure on services.
While Brave Futures aims for children to begin receiving support within eight to twelve weeks, she said demand means that, for the first time, some children in the worst affected areas are now facing waits of more than a year.
"We don't think it's acceptable for children to wait that long for a service," she said.
The charity says it is now seeking additional funding so it can recruit more practitioners and reduce waiting times, while continuing its work with schools, healthcare professionals, police, social care and community organisations to improve awareness and early intervention.
'Silence is what allows perpetrators to perpetrate'
Walker believes the scale of child sexual abuse means preventing it cannot be left to professionals alone.
She said greater public awareness is essential, arguing that misconceptions about abuse still persist.
"People think it happens to a few young people, but it isn't," she said.
"One in six means potentially five children in every classroom of 30 have either been, are being, or are about to be sexually abused.
"No one service can solve this problem on its own.
"Silence is exactly what allows perpetrators to perpetrate."
Walker also warned that children are increasingly being exposed to harm through technology.
She said that while many people still assume the greatest risk comes from strangers, children are most at risk in their own homes, with technology-assisted child sexual abuse becoming an increasingly significant concern.
Advice for parents
While describing the findings as understandably alarming, Walker said there are practical steps parents can take to help keep children safe.
Among her key recommendations are using the correct names for body parts, helping children understand they have autonomy over their own bodies, and maintaining open, age-appropriate communication.
"If they say, 'No, I don't want to do that,' that's okay," she said, referring to situations where children may not want to hug or kiss relatives or family friends.
"They hear, 'I do get to choose. I do have choice about my body.'
"And then, particularly with teenagers, it's about open communication, checking in with them, noticing changes in behaviour and being curious about where that change has come from."
Lifelong impact
Walker said sexual abuse can have lifelong consequences for children, even when they receive specialist support.
"We can't get rid of the trauma," she said.
"Once it's happened, it's happened. We're here to help them overcome it and manage it."
She recalled one young person describing trauma as a game of "whack-a-mole", where difficult memories and emotions repeatedly resurface.
"Brave Futures gave me that hammer," the young person told the charity.
"Now I'm on top of it."
Calls for greater action
Alongside increasing support services, Brave Futures wants to see further action nationally.
The charity is calling for greater investment in specialist and preventative services, stronger action to tackle online abuse, increased accountability for technology companies, and greater recognition of sexual violence as a distinct area requiring sustained government attention.
Walker said community support also plays an important role.
"When people get behind us, victims and survivors see that people believe them, listen to them and are behind them," she said.
"I think that creates such strength within a community."
Government response
A Home Office spokesperson said:
"These findings are deeply concerning.
“Charges and prosecutions for child sexual abuse are now at their highest ever levels, and The Home Office is investing over £100 million this year to tackle child sexual abuse and bring offenders to justice.
“We know there’s more to be done. If tech companies do not do more to protect children from grooming, exploitation and harmful content, we are prepared to intervene with new legislation.”
Background:
The sexual abuse of children is one of the most disturbing crimes of our time and has a devastating long-term impact on victims.
The government has announced plans to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images on their devices, helping to prevent grooming, sextortion, and other forms of online sexual abuse.
Technology companies are being pressed to introduce device-level safeguards, with legislation remaining an option if sufficient progress is not made. New plans to stop children taking, sharing or viewing nude images - GOV.UK