Sex crimes against young children rise as NSPCC relaunches safety campaign

• Police data shows 13 percent increase in sex offences against four to eight year-olds after 6,613 were logged in Wales and England in 2016/2017
• The number of offences recorded by South Wales Police rose from 89 in 2015/2016 to 126 in 2016/2017 – an increase of more than 41 per cent
• Figures highlight the importance of NSPCC ‘Talk PANTS’ campaign & equipping parents to talk to young children about how to stay safe from sexual abuse

Pantosaurus at Cardiff Half Marathon

MORE than 6,500 recorded sexual offences against children between the ages of four and eight were committed in Wales and England, according to police figures^[1].

Following responses from police forces in Wales and England to an NSPCC Freedom of Information request, there were 6,613 crimes logged in 2016/2017.

This amounts to 10 percent of the total number of recorded child sex offences in that time period and an increase of 13 percent on the previous year, where annual police data is comparable ^[2].

In Wales, figures from South Wales Police reveal that there were 126 offences committed against four to eight year olds in 2016/2017.

The highest proportion of incidents were recorded against children aged seven – 30 – in Wales and there was a rise of more than 41 percent compared to data from 2015/2016.

Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and North Wales police forces were unable to provide a breakdown of information on their recorded offences.

These figures come as the charity relaunches their ‘Talk PANTS’ campaign this half term.

Talk PANTS helps parents with children aged eight and under to have the vital conversation about staying safe from sexual abuse, by teaching them important messages such as their privates are private.

Research conducted by the NSPCC found many parents were worried that talking to their young children about sexual abuse would be scary and confusing for them.

To combat the issue the NSPCC has created a catchy song and activity pack – with cartoon dinosaur Pantosaurus – which does not mention the words ‘sex’ or ‘abuse’ so it is easier for parents to tackle the sensitive subject.

The charity has also produced a fun video which shows other young children using the PANTS activities.

Des Mannion, the head of NSPCC Cymru/Wales, said:

“We know that lots of parents have already used ‘Talk PANTS’ to speak to their children about the dangers they may face from sexual abuse as they grow up, both in the online and offline world.

“However, the figures we have revealed today show that we all need to do more to help young children learn how to stay safe from sexual abuse, these conversations should be as normal as teaching them to cross the road.”

Parents and children can sing along with Pantosaurus – available in both Welsh and English on the NSPCC website – who explains each letter of PANTS:

P – Privates are private;

A – Always remember your body belongs to you;

N – No means no;

T – Talk about secrets that upset you;

S – Speak up, someone can help.

The acronym provides a simple but valuable rule that keeps children safe: that their body belongs to them, they have a right to say no, and that they should tell an adult they trust if they’re worried or upset.

The charity also encourages parents to order a PANTS activity pack ahead of half term from their online shop.

The pack contains word searches, games, stickers and a bookmark for a suggested donation of £5.