Startling new figures show that almost a quarter of all recorded sexual offences against under 18s, involved children aged FOUR to EIGHT.
Police in Northern Ireland say they are dealing with hundreds of sexual offences against young children, according to figures provided to the NSPCC.
Figures received from the PSNI show that in 2018/19, a total of 472 sexual offences against under 18s involved children aged four to eight.
In total, there were 2,036 recorded offences against under 18s in Northern Ireland during that period.
Also last year, hundreds of children from across the UK aged under 11 contacted the NSPCC’s Childline service about sexual abuse.
A young girl who contacted Childline said:
“I want to know if something that happened to me was wrong. The other day my older brother’s friend kissed me and touched me. He asked me to do other things but I said no and he got angry with me.
“I feel awful and like what happened was all my fault. My friends have all told me that it’s fine but I’m so confused. Is this normal?”
In response, the NSPCC is this week relaunching its Talk PANTS campaign, which helps parents with children aged eight and under to have vital conversations about staying safe from sexual abuse.
The charity’s PANTS rules, catchy Pantosaurus song and activity pack help parents find the right words to talk to their children about staying safe. They don’t mention the words sex or abuse so it is easier for parents to tackle the sensitive subject.
The NSPCC is encouraging parents to donate to the charity to get the PANTS activity pack and help protect a generation of children from abuse.
The charity has also produced new videos which show children using the PANTS activities.
Donna-Marie Wright, a mum to seven children, is a passionate supporter of the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign.
She said: “I think Talk PANTS is brilliant. Having been abused myself between the ages of seven and 18, I believe it’s essential that all parents talk to their children about staying safe from sexual abuse.
“Many parents may worry that talking to their children about this sensitive subject will be scary and confusing but the PANTS activities help you find the right words. There is no mention of sex or abuse and when I’ve used them with my own young children, I’ve found the resources to be incredibly useful.”
Parents and children can sing along with Pantosaurus (www.nspcc.org.uk/pants).
Margaret Gallagher, Interim Head of Safeguarding in Communities,who delivers the PANTS campaign to groups across Northern Ireland, said it is very concerning that the number of recorded sexual offences against young children is at such a high level.
And she said it is vital that more action is taken to help children stay safe from sexual abuse.
“That is why Talk PANTS is such an important tool for parents as it enables them to have vital conversations with their child in an age appropriate way,” she added.
