Children are some of the most vulnerable members of society, which means that they very often count on us to help them when they can’t find the words or muster the courage for action. This is why this latest finding by the British Government is so concerning.
According to research commissioned by the Department of Education, a third of adults in the UK who suspect child abuse do not report it.
The research report showed that while 15% of the 2,504 adults interviewed have suspected a case of child abuse at some stage in their lives, only two-thirds of that figure have gone on to report it to a relevant authority.
Feedback from the interview data revealed that the biggest factor preventing adults from reporting a suspected case is the fear of having misread the situation.
What makes this finding even more alarming is the recent revelation that police are receiving around 100 reports of suspected child abuse PER MONTH. In light of this statistic, it would make one wonder just how many vulnerable children are suffering in silence.
If you have concerns, don’t be afraid to contact the authorities – you could be saving a child from needless suffering.
For information on how to report a suspected case of child abuse, check out the GOV.UK website at this link.
