William Eichler 07 March 2025

Child sexual abuse identification at 30 year low

Child sexual abuse identification at 30 year low image
Image: Bricolage / Shutterstock.com.

Safeguarding professionals are protecting the lowest number of children at risk of sexual abuse in three decades despite an increase in child sexual abuse convictions, new data reveals.

Council children’s services in England placed just 2,160 children on child protection plans for sexual abuse in 2023/24, the lowest number in 30 years, according to the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre).

However, police forces in England and Wales recorded more charges brought against suspects of child sexual abuse in 2023/24 (13,098) than ever before.

Ian Dean, director of the CSA Centre, commented: ‘We continue to estimate that at least half a million children will experience sexual abuse each year, and the gap between this estimate and those actually identified and supported by safeguarding professionals remains far too wide.’

Cllr Arooj Shah, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said that it was vital that all professionals working with children receive ‘high quality training’ and that they should work with the wider community to tackle abuse.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Triage Officer

Essex County Council
£26485.00 - £31158.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Senior Triage OfficerPermanent, Full Time£26,485 to £31,158 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Triage Officer

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £26962.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Triage OfficerPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £26,962 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Practitioner - Clacton Family Centre

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Senior Practitioner - Clacton Family CentrePermanent, Part TimeLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker - Children and Families Hub, Colchester

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Children and Families Hub, ColchesterPermanent, Part Time£37,185 to £50,081 per annum (Full Time Equivalent)Actual Salary (22.2 hours England, Essex, Colchester
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Independent Reviewing Officer

North Yorkshire Council
From £45,718 up to £49,764 per annum pro rata + relocation support
The service is county wide and therefore candidates will be expected to work across other locality areas as needed to meet service demand. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner