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Child sex abuse services 'overwhelmed', charities claim | Child sex abuse services 'overwhelmed', charities claim |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Victims of child sex abuse are being turned away from support services that are being overwhelmed by a large rise in cases. | Victims of child sex abuse are being turned away from support services that are being overwhelmed by a large rise in cases. |
Charity Twelves Company, based in Devon, said it had turned away 112 people seeking support in 2015. | Charity Twelves Company, based in Devon, said it had turned away 112 people seeking support in 2015. |
A BBC investigation revealed that in Devon and Cornwall police have seen a 55% rise in reports of sexual abuse in the past four years. | A BBC investigation revealed that in Devon and Cornwall police have seen a 55% rise in reports of sexual abuse in the past four years. |
Police urged victims to come forward and said they would be protected. | Police urged victims to come forward and said they would be protected. |
Updates on this story and more from Devon and Cornwall | |
Between January and November 2015, 1,326 reports of sexual abuse were made to the force, compared with 853 in 2011. | Between January and November 2015, 1,326 reports of sexual abuse were made to the force, compared with 853 in 2011. |
The figures show more than 380 historic allegations - in which the offence was committed before 1 May 2004 - of rape involving a child have been reported to the force since 2011. | The figures show more than 380 historic allegations - in which the offence was committed before 1 May 2004 - of rape involving a child have been reported to the force since 2011. |
Jon Brown, head of development and impact at the NSPCC, said: "Unfortunately there is a significant gap between the number of people who need help and therapy as a result of the abuse, and the availability of services." | Jon Brown, head of development and impact at the NSPCC, said: "Unfortunately there is a significant gap between the number of people who need help and therapy as a result of the abuse, and the availability of services." |
He said the rise in reports was a result of historic cases of child sex abuse in the news, which had encouraged more people to come forward. | He said the rise in reports was a result of historic cases of child sex abuse in the news, which had encouraged more people to come forward. |
Mr Brown said the prime minister had highlighted child sexual abuse as a priority along with dealing with terrorism which was "encouraging". | Mr Brown said the prime minister had highlighted child sexual abuse as a priority along with dealing with terrorism which was "encouraging". |
However, Mr Brown said there needed to be a "more joined up approach [between authorities] to provide the provision of help for victims" including "greater treatment and help" and working with schools and families to prevent abuse. | However, Mr Brown said there needed to be a "more joined up approach [between authorities] to provide the provision of help for victims" including "greater treatment and help" and working with schools and families to prevent abuse. |
He said local authorities, health services and the police, as well as charities such as the NSPCC, had a duty to protect and care for victims. | He said local authorities, health services and the police, as well as charities such as the NSPCC, had a duty to protect and care for victims. |
Tom Dingwall, chief executive of Twelves Company, which supports sexual and domestic abuse victims in the South West, said it provided services to almost 300 victims in 2015. | Tom Dingwall, chief executive of Twelves Company, which supports sexual and domestic abuse victims in the South West, said it provided services to almost 300 victims in 2015. |
"Last year, demand outstripped our capacity to deliver services and we turned away 112 adults from receiving specialist support." | "Last year, demand outstripped our capacity to deliver services and we turned away 112 adults from receiving specialist support." |
'Challenge for police' | 'Challenge for police' |
Across Devon and Cornwall there are four Local Safeguarding Children's Boards - which aim to protect those at risk. | Across Devon and Cornwall there are four Local Safeguarding Children's Boards - which aim to protect those at risk. |
Andy Bickley, chair for Plymouth, said investments, including training courses for those who come into contact with children, have been made. | Andy Bickley, chair for Plymouth, said investments, including training courses for those who come into contact with children, have been made. |
David Taylor, the chair for Devon and Torbay, said authorities were "getting better at identifying abuse". | David Taylor, the chair for Devon and Torbay, said authorities were "getting better at identifying abuse". |
He said: "It is an extremely complex and challenging area of work, and authorities in the region are learning from best practice in other parts of the country." | He said: "It is an extremely complex and challenging area of work, and authorities in the region are learning from best practice in other parts of the country." |
Some of the increases in reported offences | Some of the increases in reported offences |
Source: Devon and Cornwall Police | Source: Devon and Cornwall Police |
Det Ch Insp Neil Ralph said the rise in reports of abuse was a "challenge for the police service, locally and nationally", but the force had made a "huge investment" by creating a dedicated unit and was working with other forces. | Det Ch Insp Neil Ralph said the rise in reports of abuse was a "challenge for the police service, locally and nationally", but the force had made a "huge investment" by creating a dedicated unit and was working with other forces. |
"It is a large increase and we've increased our digital and online footprint as these things can be really difficult to report over the phone so it enables them to report abuse [online] much easier. | "It is a large increase and we've increased our digital and online footprint as these things can be really difficult to report over the phone so it enables them to report abuse [online] much easier. |
"People have a high level of trust in the police and the Operation Yewtree impact [means] they have felt more compelled to report abuse to police. | "People have a high level of trust in the police and the Operation Yewtree impact [means] they have felt more compelled to report abuse to police. |
He said a high number of the reports, which were released in response to a freedom of information request by BBC News, related to historical crimes and the force "would do everything it can to investigate them and bring the offenders to justice". | He said a high number of the reports, which were released in response to a freedom of information request by BBC News, related to historical crimes and the force "would do everything it can to investigate them and bring the offenders to justice". |
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