SEX offences against children in Hampshire has increased by 23 per cent, new figures reveal.
Research by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) found the crimes against children and young people rose from 1,734 in 2014/15 to 2,134 in 2015/16 – an average of six children a day.
Of that figure, a total of 659 crimes were recorded against children aged 10 and under; child sex offences recorded included rape, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation.
The charity cited police forces improving crime recording methods; survivors feeling more confident in disclosing abuse following high-profile cases and online grooming becoming a major problem with predators reaching multiple children.
To cope with the numbers of children coming forward, the NSPCC is calling for specialist training for police investigating online child abuse, effective rehabilitation for child sex offenders, and investment in early intervention services to help children recover.
However, whilst the charity says the latest figures are shocking, there are concerns the total number of sex offences committed against children could be a lot higher due to children holding back through fear or embarrassment.
Through its Speak Out Stay Safe programme, the NSPCC is teaching children about the signs of abuse and who they can turn to for support.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here