Expert Welcomes Research Showing 84% Increase In Calls To Charity

By Rob Dixon

Legal experts who specialise in providing support to victims of child abuse have welcomed new figures showing an increase in the number of serious incidents of sexual abuse reported to the NSPCC, as demonstrating a sea change in societal thinking about child abuse.
 
The charity has revealed that calls to its 24-hour freephone number almost doubled during June and July, with around 600 of the cases being referred to the police or social services.
 
According to the NSPCC, the increase of 84 per cent was the biggest in calls relating to all forms of abuse and has been attributed to the way that the scandal related to Jimmy Savile and others in the public eye had changed the way in which people react to abuse.
 
This news has been backed by child abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, who help victims who have suffered psychological and physical trauma to gain justice.
 
Tracey Storey, a Partner and expert in child abuse cases at the national law firm’s London office, said: “Through our work, we have seen numerous occasions when victims have said how they have previously felt unable to come forward about abuse concerns, simply through a fear that their disclosures would fall on deaf ears.
 
“We have seen first-hand how Operation Yewtree and all of the shocking revelations related to Jimmy Savile have led to significant change across the public, with such developments giving victims more confidence to speak out.
 
“It is vital that victims of abuse receive specialist support and treatment, so they can come to terms with the abuse and look towards a better future. We would urge people with concerns to seek advice and support as soon as possible.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Child Abuse claims