Time to stamp out child sexual abuse says charity

Child protection campaigners marking World Child Abuse Prevention Day today (November 19) urged all adults to play their part in stamping out sexual abuse and so reducing the number of youngsters harmed by this horrible crime.

Speaking on behalf of child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and its campaigning arm Stop it Now! UK and Ireland, director of research and development Donald Findlater said: “Child abuse, especially sexual abuse, is a global problem affecting some 1 in 6 children. Increasing awareness, effective protection skills and prevention measures are essential at family, local, national and international level.”

The World Day, initiated by the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) in 2000, aims to create a culture of prevention around the world by encouraging governments and communities to play more active roles in protecting children.

And in a bid to focus attention on the problem, more than 900 World Day partners in 135 countries will host activities to increase awareness and education about child abuse and violence toward children, to promote respect for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to make preventing child abuse a top priority.

“All adults are responsible for preventing child sexual abuse. They can do this by looking out for the signs of abuse both in other adults and in children, and then by taking action if they spot the signs.

“Stop it Now! – an awareness raising and education campaign – runs a freephone 0808 1000 900 confidential helpline for anyone worried about child sexual abuse, be those fears around their own thoughts or feelings towards children or the behaviour of others.

“In the last six years, helpline staff have taken more than 11,000 calls from about 5,500 callers worried about their own behaviour around children or the behaviour of people they know. We know there are more people who have worries around this topic and we are ready to help them.”


“If you have any worries that a child might be at risk from or is suffering sexual abuse call the helpline and our specially trained staff will be able to offer information, advice and support.”

Mr. Findlater said the key to preventing child sexual abuse was to arm all adults – especially parents, carers and guardians – with accurate information.

“NSPCC research tells us that one in six youngsters are sexually abused by the time they reach 16. It is vital we reduce this number and we can only do this by education campaigns and awareness raising programmes.”

Behaviours in adults that might adults concern include:

• Refusing to allow a child sufficient privacy.
• Insisting on physical affection even if the child clearly does not want it.
• Spending most of their spare time with children and have little interest in spending time with people their own age.
• Buying children expensive gifts or giving them money for no apparent reason.

“If you know an adult who is behaving in this way and you are in the least bit worried you can call the helpline and check out you fears,” said Mr. Findlater.

Concerning behaviours in children might include:

• Nightmares or sleeping problems.
• Unaccountable fear of particular places or people.
• Outburst of unexplained anger.
• Physical signs e.g. unexplained soreness or bruises around genitals.
• Becoming secretive.

“On there own these behaviours might be just part of the child growing up, but again if you have any concern please call the helpline and check them out,” added Mr. Findlater.

The Stop it Now! UK and Ireland 0808 1000 900 helpline is open from 9am – 9pm Monday to Thursday and 9am – 7pm Fridays. Concerns can also be checked out via the anonymous email service help@stopitnow.org.uk.

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