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Sexual abuse calls 'at new high' Sexual abuse calls 'at new high'
(20 minutes later)
The number of children counselled for sexual abuse by ChildLine in Northern Ireland has hit a new high, the charity has said. Almost 1,000 children were counselled for sexual abuse by ChildLine in Northern Ireland last year, the charity has said.
Last year it counselled 952 children about sexual abuse, more than at any other time since the service was set up here 10 years ago. The figure has more than doubled in the last three years with a total of 952 children now asking for help.
In 2005, 385 children were counselled about sexual abuse by the service. In 2005, 385 children were counselled about sexual abuse by the service which was set up in NI 10 years ago.
Paddy Shannon, assistant director, ChildLine NI said they received dozens of "harrowing" calls every day. Paddy Shannon, assistant director, ChildLine NI, said the charity received dozens of "harrowing" calls every day.
"Children phone to talk in confidence about suffering different kinds of sexual abuse, the vast majority of the abusers being people they know, either within their families, or the wider family circle," he said."Children phone to talk in confidence about suffering different kinds of sexual abuse, the vast majority of the abusers being people they know, either within their families, or the wider family circle," he said.
"They dare not speak about it, or ask for help, for fear of the consequences. Many of them have been threatened or intimidated into silence."They dare not speak about it, or ask for help, for fear of the consequences. Many of them have been threatened or intimidated into silence.
"We believe calls have gone up partly because of awareness campaigns targeted at children like the NSPCC Don't Hide It campaign."We believe calls have gone up partly because of awareness campaigns targeted at children like the NSPCC Don't Hide It campaign.
"Child sex abuse storylines on programmes such as Eastenders also encourage children to speak out.""Child sex abuse storylines on programmes such as Eastenders also encourage children to speak out."
He said more children now understand what sexual abuse is and are increasingly willing to turn to ChildLine for help and that an increase in the number of ChildLine counsellors meant more children were helped.He said more children now understand what sexual abuse is and are increasingly willing to turn to ChildLine for help and that an increase in the number of ChildLine counsellors meant more children were helped.