The Children’s Society responds to the NPCC National Analysis of Police Recorded Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Crimes Report:

Azmina Siddique, Policy and Impact Manager at The Children’s Society, said: “This report, the first of its kind, reveals a stark new national picture of the chilling problem of child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE). 

“The significant rise in peer-on-peer abuse, now responsible for more than half of all reported cases, is an alarming trend. Young people, especially under the age of 16, who are victims of abuse often don’t receive the support they need. It is essential that these children get the right care – including age-appropriate support to perpetrators who are children themselves. It is also critical to have early intervention services, to disrupt coercive and controlling behaviours before it is too late.

“Children must be recognised and treated as victims first. The Victims Bill, which is currently going through parliament, provides a crucial opportunity to do so.”