NSPCC has published How Safe Are Our Children? 2014. The report compiles the most up to date child protection data that exists across the UK across 20 different indicators. Key findings include:
- The most serious forms of physical abuse such as homicide and deaths by assault remain down and have been steadily falling
- There is an increased willingness to speak out about abuse and neglect; for example. contacts to the NSPCC helpline increased by 15% in 2012/13 compared with the previous year
- Online abuse continues to be a growing issue; The number of counselling sessions ChildLine held about cyber bulling increased by 87% in 2012/13 compared with the previous year and Ofcom reports that one child in five has seen content online that they found worrying, nasty or offensive, with the proportion of children experiencing this increasing every year since 2011
- The number of counselling sessions ChildLine holds where self-harm and suicide are the main concern continues to rise
- The number of children on child protection registers and protection plans continues to increase in England, Wales and Scotland