The NSPCC Helpline has received nearly 73,000 calls and emails from adults across the UK, worried about a child over the past year.
Almost half of those were referred on to police and social services.
The helpline in Northern Ireland made 693 referrals to police and social services in 2018/19. The main concern was sexual abuse in 52 of these referrals.
Concerns range from child neglect to sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
These figures come as the NSPCC announces a new partnership – Together we’re giving kids a brighter future – with Johnson & Johnson Ltd, the makers of CALPOL®. The partnership will help the charity to answer 10,000 calls from people worried about a child.
David Burns, Development and Quality Manager at NSPCC helpline and based in Northern Ireland, said the helpline provides a critical service across the UK.
“It’s vital that we can continue to provide this support to adults so that they know there is somewhere they can go if they are concerned for the safety of a child.
“We are delighted to have teamed up with Calpol which is helping us to answer 10,000 calls and be there for children who need us,” he said.
And James Gooddy, Assistant Brand Manager at CALPOL®, said for over 50 years CALPOL® has been helping parents in the UK to look after their children’s health.
“Our purpose is to ‘Let Kids Be Kids’ and therefore we are delighted to have partnered with the NSPCC – the UK’s leading children’s charity – to help keep children safe from abuse and neglect.
“This year we will be supporting the NSPCC helpline to help answer 10,000 calls, which will go a long way towards our shared goal of giving kids a brighter future,” he added.
Johnson and Johnson Limited is donating 5p to the NSPCC for every CALPOL® product sold in Boots from 31 July to 10 September; Tesco 14 August to 24 September; Superdrug from 11 September to 8 October; and Asda from 14 September to 12 October. These donations will help the NSPCC to answer 10,000 calls.
Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline seven days a week on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
