As you may already know, Tax Rebate Services is a regular corporate donor to the NSPCC. This year, the NSPCC Christmas Appeal is called ‘Light for every childhood’. Its aim is to shine a light on those children suffering from neglect and raise money to fund its helplines.
NSPCC research shows the appalling fact that child neglect and cruelty offences have doubled in the last five years.
This Christmas campaign more than deserves our support. We’re just want to help spread the word.
What you will see during the campaign
During December, famous buildings around the UK are lighting up their buildings in NSPCC green. Those participating are: Battersea Power Station, Bradford Town Hall, BT Tower, Bournemouth Town Hall, County Hall, Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Fort Regent, The Guildhall and Guildford House, Hever Castle, Houses of Parliament, i360 Brighton, Leeds Castle, London Eye, Poole Civic Centre, Stockport Town Hall, Sunderland Court Tribunal Centre and Nottingham Council House.
It is hoped that raising awareness in this way will get people talking and encourage more donations. The NSPCC’s difficult, important work is 90% funded by voluntary donations.
Shocking police statistics
The NSPCC work with the police and the figures they recently announced are based on data from all UK police forces.
Number of child cruelty and neglect offences recorded by the police:
- 2012-13: 7,965
- 2017-18: 16,939
The official definition of child cruelty and neglect is important. It means where a parent or carer “wilfully assaults, ill-treats, neglects, abandons or exposes a child under 16 in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health.”
That’s nearly 17,000 adults deliberately neglecting or hurting their children in one year. Not all cases are reported. Not all cases of neglect reach the police because other agencies intervene. This is only a portion of the actual total.
NSPCC statistics
- 19,937 calls to NSPCC helpline
- 14,601 calls urgently referred to children’s services or the police
- Child neglect was the most common reason for people getting in touch with the NSPCC
- 27,865 children on a child protection register or plan, due to neglect
Part of the solution
That’s hard reading, isn’t it? Each one of those thousands is an individual child. The NSPCC puts protecting children at the heart of everything and is a major part of the solution.
Sometimes it means lobbying government for necessary changes to the law or policy.
Sometimes that means supporting a family through a crisis period. This is an example of a referral made to the police from a helpline practitioner, Tracey Hamer:
“The police went out to do a welfare check, and later told me that mum had been found unwell and violently vomiting and unable to care for her 3-year-old daughter. The house was in a state of disrepair and the kitchen worktops were covered in dirty crockery with mould on them. The washing machine was broken, and mum said that water would come up through the pipes when she tried to use it so she couldn’t clean any clothes.”
In cases like this, social services can step in to support the adults in the situation and prevent any further neglect or abuse.
Sometimes this means listening
The NSPCC have two helplines:
- Childline: 0800 1111
This gives children someone safe to speak to, in confidence, when they are alone. 24 hours a day, every day – including Christmas.
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
This is a free helpline for adults to call if they are concerned about a child’s welfare, get information about child protection or get advice. Also available every day, including Christmas.
We can all be part of the solution
There are two ways you can help neglected and abused children:
Money
£5.00 pays for one answered helpline call, which keeps one more child safer and feeling less alone.
Active caring
If you’re concerned about the welfare of a child in your life, give the helpline a call.
There are different physical signs of neglect, like:
- Poor personal hygiene
- Unclean clothes
- Left by themselves at home for a long time
- Hungry, no lunch money
- Injuries or other medical issues left untreated, possibly leading to things like ringworm, fleabites, skin sores, rashes
- Difficulty expressing themselves or communicating in a social situation
- Home is unsafe or unsuitable. (For example, no heating dog droppings never picked up.)
Obviously, there are many emotional effects that may be less visible, but have a devastating, long term effect on the child’s life.
In the face of such stark numbers, it is understandable that many people feel they can’t make a difference.
But you can, as CEO of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, said: “It’s unclear exactly why the number of child neglect and cruelty offences has risen so dramatically, but greater public awareness and improvements in how police record offences could be factors, along with deeper societal issues.
Whatever the reasons for the increase in child neglect there is something we can all do about it now, we need to be aware of vulnerable children and be ready to report it to the NSPCC or the authorities if we are concerned for their safety or wellbeing.
Neglect doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas. The holidays can, in fact, magnify problems because children are cut-off from the wider community and their support network.
We are appealing to the generous nature of the public to support our Light For Every Childhood Christmas Appeal to help us be there for even more young people in need.”
Every childhood is worth fighting for. You can join in the Light For Every Childhood Christmas Campaign here. And the NSPCC helpline is always there, should you need it.
You can make a donation to the NSPCC by clicking this link.
