Childline has revealed that over the last year the service has delivered 14,080 counselling sessions to children and young people about sexual, physical, domestic, emotional abuse and neglect– an average of 38 a day.
The service, which is run by the NSPCC, is also highlighting that of those counselling sessions, 31% (4,321) had a child say that they had not told anyone before or that Childline was the first place where they had spoken about their abuse.
The NSPCC is releasing these figures as it launches its Christmas appeal.
Can be an incredibly lonely and frightening time
Although Christmas comes with huge expectations of happiness, love and fun – for the more than half a million children experiencing abuse a year, it can also be an incredibly lonely and frightening time.
With schools closing their doors and children having reduced contact with wider support networks over the festive season, the charity knows that there will be many vulnerable children at home facing increased risks.
“My mother constantly pushed and pulled emotionally”
For those children and young people for whom Christmas means abuse, Childline is a lifeline.
Natalia’s mum was physically and emotionally abusive, and she grew up learning that the only way to stay safe was to suppress her own emotions and needs to pacify her controlling mother. She remembers her mum walking out on their family at Christmas and not returning for many hours.
Natalia, who is from the south east of England, said,
“My mother constantly pushed and pulled emotionally.
“Things were very structured and everything – from decorating, to opening presents – had to be done in exactly the right way, or she would get annoyed.”
Lighting up NSPCC Green
On Friday 22nd December, the longest night of the year, landmarks across the country will be lighting up NSPCC Green to show support for the charity’s appeal.
In the South East, landmarks will include Rochester Cathedral, Maidstone Town Hall, Maidstone County Hall, Gravesend Clocktower, and St Thomas’s Church in Ryde. Winchester Science Centre, which cannot light up externally due to being in a dark sky reserve, will be lighting up with a green fire demonstration on the day!
Last year during the 12-day Christmas period between 24th December 2022 and 4th January 2023, counsellors delivered 400 counselling sessions on abuse and neglect.
December last year was also the second highest month in the year for children reaching out for support on emotional abuse (247).
“I feel like other people don’t get it when I try to talk to them”
A girl, aged 17, who contacted Childline over the Christmas period said,
“My parents are drug addicts and don’t buy us any food. If they do get us any, it’s usually stolen from somewhere. They always ask me for my work money. I’d like advice on how to move out with my 12 year old brother.
“I feel like other people don’t get it when I try to talk to them. I’ve been thinking about contacting Social Services, but I thought I would ask Childline for advice first.”
In its new TV advert, the NSPCC highlights that on average a child will call Childline every 45 seconds and that for these children, Christmas can be the worst time of year.
Gray: It can be a time full of fear, isolation and increased risks
Alex Gray, a Service Head of Childline at its London and South East base, said,
“Christmas should be a time of happiness and fun for all children, but at Childline we know that sadly for many in the South East, it is a time full of fear, isolation and increased risks.
“For lots of children, Childline is the only place they can turn to for help when they are trapped behind closed doors feeling scared and alone.
“In the run up to this festive season, it is essential that the service continues to be here as a lifeline for those children who are in desperate need of support from our trained counsellors and those in immediate danger.”
Walk for Children
To enable the charity to be there for all children this Christmas, the NSPCC is asking people across the country to Walk for Children on 22nd December, or another date that works for them. The 5K walk can be taken wherever the participant chooses, and could be planned to pass a lit-up landmark. The £10 sign-up fee includes an NSPCC t-shirt and fundraising pack in the post.
Additionally, Fleet-based job site CV-Library will be donating £1 to Childline per new CV registered between 11th-17th December.
The Childline service is here for children every day, even on Christmas Day. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When a child needs help and Christmas means abuse, Childline is a lifeline and it is vital that our counsellors are here and ready to listen and support children across the UK.
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk
News shared by Sophie on behalf of NSPCC. Ed
