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23/03/2012
NSPCC Report Delays In Reporting Child Abuse
Figures released by the NSPCC suggest that people are waiting over a month to report concerns over suspected child abuse.
Out of a record number of 45,000 calls in 2011 to the NSPCC over half, 56%, had waited more than a month and more than one in four, 27% had waited six months.
The "Helpline highlight: a year in review," report also found that contacts to the NSPCC had increased by 29% on the previous year, with a doubling of calls about abuse over the past five years.
In 55% of all calls that resulted in a referral, the caller said they had heard or seen the child in distress.
Nearly two thirds, 60%, of referrals involved parental substance misuse, domestic abuse or concerns about the parent's mental health.
The figures have been published as the children’s charity launched a new social media campaign.
The video campaign, made by Skins director Amanda Boyle, urges people not to ignore ‘niggling doubts’ about a child’s safety.
Launching on YouTube, netmums, Twitter and Facebook it is hoped the campaign will go “viral” with supporters able to "donate" their Facebook status to the campaign for a week.
Siobhan Freegard, co-founder of the Netmums website, said: "People may be scared to pick up the phone because they think this will automatically result in something drastic like the police turning up and taking their neighbour's children away.
"But in many cases the NSPCC provides callers with help and advice without taking things any further. Its helpline counsellors deal with thousands of calls every year and will know the best course of action to take."
(H)
Out of a record number of 45,000 calls in 2011 to the NSPCC over half, 56%, had waited more than a month and more than one in four, 27% had waited six months.
The "Helpline highlight: a year in review," report also found that contacts to the NSPCC had increased by 29% on the previous year, with a doubling of calls about abuse over the past five years.
In 55% of all calls that resulted in a referral, the caller said they had heard or seen the child in distress.
Nearly two thirds, 60%, of referrals involved parental substance misuse, domestic abuse or concerns about the parent's mental health.
The figures have been published as the children’s charity launched a new social media campaign.
The video campaign, made by Skins director Amanda Boyle, urges people not to ignore ‘niggling doubts’ about a child’s safety.
Launching on YouTube, netmums, Twitter and Facebook it is hoped the campaign will go “viral” with supporters able to "donate" their Facebook status to the campaign for a week.
Siobhan Freegard, co-founder of the Netmums website, said: "People may be scared to pick up the phone because they think this will automatically result in something drastic like the police turning up and taking their neighbour's children away.
"But in many cases the NSPCC provides callers with help and advice without taking things any further. Its helpline counsellors deal with thousands of calls every year and will know the best course of action to take."
(H)
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NSPCC Report Record Number Of Calls
The NSPCC has said they received a record number if calls about child neglect last year, in what it has described as a “worrying trend”. Between April 2011 and March 2012, it handled more than 12,000 contacts about neglect, the biggest number since its helpline was launched. Some 8,600 led to the involvement of police or social services.
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Ministers and FGM helpline practitioners are taking part in discussions on how they can work together to tackle Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) victims.
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More people are calling the NSPCC Helpline about serious child abuse since the death of Baby Peter two years ago. Between April 2008 and March 2009, the 24-hour freephone service passed on 11,243 suspected child protection cases to police or social services - an increase of more than a third over two years.
NSPCC Calls Rise After Death Of Baby P
More people are calling the NSPCC Helpline about serious child abuse since the death of Baby Peter two years ago. Between April 2008 and March 2009, the 24-hour freephone service passed on 11,243 suspected child protection cases to police or social services - an increase of more than a third over two years.
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Ofcom Fines BBC £150k Over Prank Calls
The BBC has been fined £150,000 by Ofcom over prank phone calls made by Russell Brand (pictured) and Jonathan Ross to actor Andrew Sachs. The sum related to the two episodes of the Russell Brand show broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the 18 and 25 October 2008. In its report, the media regulator found the broadcasts had breached it's Broadcasting Code.
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The BBC has been fined £150,000 by Ofcom over prank phone calls made by Russell Brand (pictured) and Jonathan Ross to actor Andrew Sachs. The sum related to the two episodes of the Russell Brand show broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the 18 and 25 October 2008. In its report, the media regulator found the broadcasts had breached it's Broadcasting Code.
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Scarborough drowning tragedy victims named
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Scarborough drowning tragedy victims named
A mother and her son who drowned in a tragic accident yesterday have been named as Kim Barrett, 33 and Luke Greenwood, 11. Coastguards are continuing to search for Ms Barrett's daughter, 13-year-old Aimee Greenwood.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
