A survey of more than 1,000 professionals has found 96% think support offered to abused children is inadequate.

More than half of those polled blamed tight criteria around access to local mental health services for leaving many victims having to deal with serious issues without expert support.

The NSPCC found that in many cases children wait five months for help with three-quarters of professionals saying it is harder to access therapeutic services than five years ago.

‘It shames our nation that children who have suffered abuse languish for months and even years without support,’ said Peter Wanless, chief executive at NSPCC. ‘It’s time to ensure that they automatically get the help they need to recover.

‘We know that children are often left alone to deal with the corrosive emotional and psychological consequences of appalling abuse and that all too often they face long waits for help with their trauma, or the services offered aren't appropriate for children whose lives have been turned upside down by their experiences: this must change.

‘The views of professionals in this survey speak loud and clear. The Government and those that commission services urgently need to increase what is currently available to support this most vulnerable group of children.’