Child Sexual Abuse

Reporting Concerns

If you or someone else are in immediate danger or you need support right away call 999 now.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the Police textphone service 18000 or text on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

If you're in danger but you can't talk on the phone, you should still call 999, then follow these instructions depending on whether you're calling from a mobile or a landline.

Follow this link for further information about how to report child abuse.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is when a child is enticed or forced to take part in sexual activities. This kind of abuse does not always involve a high level of violence and the child may or may not be aware of what is happening.

The abuse may be committed by adult men and women, or by other children. 

Examples of sexual abuse are:

• causing or inciting a child to watch or engage in sexual activities
• encouraging a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways
• involving a child in looking at sexual images or videos
• involving a child in the production of sexual images or videos
• grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet)

Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse in children can include:

• extreme reactions such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses or anorexia
• personality changes such as becoming insecure or clinging
• being isolated or withdrawn
• medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals or venereal diseases

The above are just a few examples. Another form of sexual abuse is child sexual exploitation.

Useful Websites

P.A.N.T.S: Teach your child the Underwear Rule The NSPCC suggest this simple way that parents can teach their children to look after their own bodies and help keep them safe from sexual abuse.