Record child cruelty and neglect offences in Wales up 80% in three years as recorded crimes continue to rise

• 777 concerns of adults neglecting, mistreating or assaulting children in Wales last year
• The NSPCC has launched its Here for Children Christmas Appeal across the UK and a new TV ad to raise awareness of abuse and neglect this Christmas
• Cardiff Castle and Cardiff City Hall among the iconic UK landmarks turning the charity’s trademark green in support

Concerns about child cruelty and neglect offences in Wales are continuing to rise with police recorded offences increasing by 80% in three years, NSPCC Cymru/Wales reports.

The charity is today releasing new analysis of police data for Wales, which reveals that there were 777 offences recorded by Welsh police forces in 2019/20. The findings show an increase of 80% in recorded crimes compared to 2016/17, and a 186% increase since 2013/14.

NSPCC Cymru/Wales also examined the number of offences that took place in the first three months of the spring lockdown and found there were a third more recorded crimes than the same period last year. Almost 200 child cruelty and neglect offences were recorded by the four police forces in Wales from 1^st April to the 30^th June this year.

Since April, Childline has heard from children in Wales who have felt they’ve had nowhere else to turn.

“Since lockdown, I’ve been finding it really hard to cope at home. I’ve been struggling with my anxiety for a while and my parents have been abusive towards me. My parents said they knew I had an anxiety disorder but refused to get it diagnosed and they regularly make fun of me for it. They are very controlling; I have no privacy over my own devices so I am contacting Childline in secret. I feel worthless and I don’t know how to cope with all of this on my own, please help me.” Girl, aged 15 from Wales.

“I can’t cope at home anymore; my mum is making my life hell. I know it’s hard for her as a single parent but she uses every opportunity to have a go at me. She’s told me I’m a freak and a shame to the family and how I always let her down. She controls everything in my life and I hate being at home.” Boy, aged 16 from Wales.

“I’d like to know how to overcome a fear of being home alone. My parents go out to the pub with their friends all the time, sometimes they’re out ‘til 1 or 2 in the morning. I’m normally okay during the day, it’s when it gets dark that I get really scared and lonely. I tried telling my mum how it makes me feel when the leave me, but she made out like I was over-reacting, that I could cope being on my own for few hours. It’s like they don’t care.” Girl, aged 14 from Wales.

Across the UK, child cruelty and neglect offences last year amounted to 23,529, with significant variations between different regions and nations. Although a significant number, senior police have argued that this does not provide the full picture of what children may have experienced during those months.

While not every police-recorded offence leads to a prosecution or child protection outcome, each represents a significant concern raised to the police about a child.

The NSPCC has issued the findings as part of a warning that children may be at risk of abuse this Christmas and that everyone needs to play their part in keeping young people safe.

To raise awareness of child neglect and abuse this Christmas, a number of iconic UK landmarks will turn green from the 7^th December, supporting the NSPCC’s Here for Children Christmas Appeal. In Wales, the Keep at Cardiff Castle and Cardiff City Hall will light-up green next week in support of the campaign.

The charity has also launched a new TV appeal which depicts some of the heart-breaking abuse contacts the NSPCC run service Childline expects to take in the Christmas holidays.

Over the last six months the NSPCC has been looking closely at the impact of lockdown – and its frontline teams are concerned that increased vulnerability, the challenges of safeguarding remotely and wider pressures on families may have increased the risks of abuse and neglect.

During the spring lockdown, an average of 50 children a day from across the UK and Channel Islands turned to Childline after suffering abuse, with counselling sessions about this issue increasing by 22% compared with pre-lockdown levels.

As part of its new appeal, the charity is calling on the public to donate £20 to the NSPCC so that services like Childline can be here for children this Christmas.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe. The charity is reminding adults that if they have concerns about a child’s welfare they can call the NSPCC helpline.

NSPCC Cymru/Wales is also urging Welsh Government to continue to ensure through its ongoing recovery plan that children get the help they need in the short and long term, including by investing in support for those who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC said:

“The pandemic is the greatest challenge we’ve faced in decades and these figures are yet another example of its impact on vulnerable children. They also provide a heart-breaking picture of the concern about the number of young people who were exposed to pain and suffering following the start of the pandemic. 

“This year it is even more essential that children have a place where they can seek help and support. Our Childline service will be running every day over the Christmas holidays, but we need the public’s support so we can ensure vulnerable children are heard.”

Spotting the signs of abuse

The NSPCC is encouraging the public to look out for signs of abuse and speak up if they are concerned about a child. Signs of abuse and neglect to look out for can include:

• Untreated injuries, medical and dental issues
• Repeated accidental injuries caused by lack of supervision
• Recurring illnesses or infections
• Faltering weight or growth, and not reaching developmental milestones
• Poor language, communication or social skills
• Have unwashed clothes
• Have inadequate clothing, like not having a winter coat
• Living in an unsuitable home environment – for example without adequate heating, or dog mess being left
• Left alone for a long time
• Taking on the role of carer for other family members

Children can call Childline on 0800 11 11 from 7.30am to midnight from Monday to Friday or 9am to midnight on weekends. Or they can get in touch via www.childline.org.uk.

Anyone with any concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline seven days a week on 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or visit nspcc.org.uk for advice.