Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Charity asks for ‘radical rethink’ to prevent sexual grooming

THE UK’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has stressed for a rethink of efforts to prevent sexual grooming.

The charity’s latest call for a “radical rethink” has come after The Independent found that almost 19,000 victims have been identified during a time span of 12 months.


According to NSPCC, the victims may be left troubled for life with the trauma of their abuse.

A NSPCC spokesperson said: “We are facing a nationwide crisis in the help available for thousands of children who have often suffered the most appalling abuse.”

“The insidious tactics used by groomers mean these young people often don’t recognise what’s happening to them is abuse.

“We need to see more efforts to improve our understanding of the motives and tactics of groomers to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.

“And we need a radical rethink in the way we help these young people targeted by groomers.”

In a bid to prevent abuse, the NSPCC is making joint efforts with the police forces, local NHS services, and children’s organisations to extend their hand to support the victims and prevent sexual exploitation.

The victims of grooming victims were vulnerable girls, particularly those in care or supported accommodation, or with learning difficulties.

Over 18,700 suspected victims of child sexual exploitation were identified by local authorities in England in 2018-19, according to Department for Education. However, experts opine that the number is much higher than estimated.

According to NSPCC, recorded sexual offences against children had reached an all-time high in 2018-19.

New figures obtained by NSPCC found there were 76,204 recorded sexual offences against children in the UK in 2018-19 – a rise of over 60 per cent since 2014-15

Offences included rape, grooming and sexual assault. As many as 16,773 offences were recorded against children aged 10 and under 341 of the offences against babies under the age of one.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said: "Record numbers of child sexual offences mean we are facing a nationwide crisis in the help available for tens of thousands of children.

"These children are bravely disclosing what happened to them but in too many cases there is not enough timely, joined up and child-friendly support. Instead they are shunted from overstretched service to service.

"We need a radical rethink in the way we help these young people, otherwise they could struggle for the rest of their lives with long term, deep-seated trauma."

The Home Office has began internal investigation of data from police and other agencies, and will use it to inform policy development and prevention strategies.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The inquiry is investigating institutional responses to child sexual exploitation by organised criminal networks, with public hearings set for the spring of 2020.”

More For You

Starmer-Reeves-Getty

Starmer and Reeves during a visit to Horiba Mira in Nuneaton, to mark the launch of the Government's Industrial Strategy on June 23, 2025 in Nuneaton. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Reeves ‘going nowhere’, says Starmer after tears in parliament

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that Chancellor Rachel Reeves would remain in her role for “a very long time to come”, after she appeared visibly upset in parliament as questions were raised about her future.

Reeves was seen with tears rolling down her face during Prime Minister’s Questions, after Starmer did not confirm whether she would remain chancellor until the next general election, expected in 2029.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bangladesh begins trial over slain student activist

Chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus , prays at Abu Sayeed’s grave

Bangladesh begins trial over slain student activist

BANGLADESH opened on Monday (30) the murder trial of student protester Abu Sayeed, whose killing last year escalated demonstrations nationwide that ultimately ousted then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sayeed died aged 23 in the northern city of Rangpur, the first student demonstrator killed in the police crackdown on protests.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty
Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty Images

Indian exporters watch closely as Trump says trade deal with India likely

THE US could reach a trade deal with India that would help American companies compete more easily in the Indian market and reduce tariff rates, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. However, he cast doubt on a similar deal with Japan.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he believed India was ready to lower trade barriers, potentially paving the way for an agreement that would avoid the 26 per cent tariff rate he had announced on April 2 and paused until July 9.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

Photo for representation (Photo: iStock)

Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

THE UK has recorded its first increase in births since 2021, with a notable rise in babies born to fathers over 60 helping to lift the numbers, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

 

In 2024, there were 594,677 live births in England and Wales, up 0.6 per cent from the previous year. While this is a modest increase, it marks a change after several years of decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Quad-leaders

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year. (Photo credit: X/@DrSJaishankar)

X/@DrSJaishankar

Quad condemns Pahalgam attack, flags China’s actions and Myanmar crisis

THE QUAD grouping has called for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the Pahalgam terror attack to be brought to justice without delay. The group also urged all UN member states to cooperate in the process.

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year.

Keep ReadingShow less