BETTER SERVICES FOR CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS NEEDED
Helen joined the NSPCC at the launch of its ‘Don’t Hide it’ campaign yesterday calling on the Government to ensure that local therapeutic services are available for all children who have suffered sexual abuse.
Helen joined other MPs in an effort to highlight the need for such services and to call on the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, and the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, Lord Falconer, to take action.
Helen, who worked for two children’s charities before entering Parliament, said,
“I am very concerned for the welfare of children who have been abused or are at risk. This is a very disturbing report from the NSPCC and we need to provide more professional support to help children recover.”
It has been estimated that 90 per cent of children known to have suffered sexual abuse currently do not receive support. The benefits of such services in helping children recover are well documented.
Lobbying on behalf of the NSPCC, 60,000 Partners in Campaigning will be sending postcards to the Secretary of State for Health, and writing to their MP to call for more such services. To join the campaign online, see: www.NSPCC.org.uk/campaigning.
NSPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Diana Sutton, said:
“Children who are being sexually abused suffer enormous harm. They must get the therapy they need to help overcome the trauma they’ve endured and to move on with their lives. We want the government to ensure that children everywhere have full access to therapeutic services.
“To help achieve this, we call for a detailed analysis of current provision and a fully funded delivery plan, at both national and local level.”
Filed under: Uncategorized on May 17th, 2006
