APPALLING. HORRENDOUS. SHOCKING.
That is how a charity has described the rising tide of sexual offences against young children across the North of Ireland.
Children’s charity, the NSPCC, says that more than a quarter of all sex offences reported to the PSNI last year were committed against primary school children.
Figures obtained by the charity show grooming, rape and sex assault reports rose by 53 per cent over the last three years.
The charity said the figures equated to one child being abused every six hours.
Neil Anderson, the NSPCC’s Northern Ireland head, said that statistic was “a shocking and appalling one”.
A total of 27% of all 2,692 reported sex offences in the North of Ireland were committed against children aged 11 and under.
The 1,141 recorded offences committed against girls in 2014-15 was almost three times more than the 374 on boys.
The NSPCC said the rise in recorded incidents could be due to more people having the confidence to come forward and an increased awareness of sexual abuse.
But it added that the figure may not reflect the full number of children that have been abused, saying many are afraid to speak up.
Mr Anderson said the figures showed “what a rampant problem this is”.
“Sexual abuse can shatter a child’s mental health – the cruelty can leave them anxious, depressed, and even suicidal,” he said.
“Swift action must be taken to stamp out these horrendous crimes.”
The NSPCC said it wants the Stormont Executive to increase funding to support children who have been the victims of abuse.
The charity added that it was speaking to children in schools to help them to understand abuse and explain how to find help if they need it.
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