Figures that reveal child abuse offences by under-18s "should be ringing alarm bells" says NSPCC (From The Northern Echo)

Figures that reveal child abuse offences by under-18s "should be ringing alarm bells" says NSPCC

4:34pm Monday 4th March 2013 in News By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter

NEW figures show there were 435 offences of under-18s committing child sexual abuse in the region in the last three years.

The data was obtained by the NSPCC using the Freedom of Information Act.

The charity says the majority of offences were committed by boys. Where the relationship was recorded, at least three out of five of the victims nationally knew the abuser, the charity said.

More than one-third of the offences were said to have been committed by a family friend or acquaintance and one in five by family members.

The findings follow a report by probation inspectors last month which found that police, social workers and teachers were missing the warning signs that a child may sexually offend.

The charity is warning that easy access to sexual material could be leading to an increase in the number of children needing help.

Claire Lilley, policy advisor at the NSPCC, said:  “Any incidents like these are a real cause for concern and these figures should be ringing alarm bells with the authorities that this is a problem that needs to be tackled urgently.”

From its service centre, in Newcastle the NSPCC provides services to treat and reform children and young people from across the North-East who exhibit signs of harmful sexual behaviour.

Adults worried about a child or in need of help and advice can contact the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808-800-5000.

Children and young people can contact ChildLine on 0800-1111.

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