
Figures collated by the NSPCC following a Freedom of Information request to police forces in England and Wales show that in 2013/14, 4,209 children were accused of sexual offences compared to 3,868 in 2012/13. That represents an increase of 8.8 per cent.
Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said easily available online pornography appears to be a factor behind young people committing sexual offences.
“We know that for many older children pornography is now part of life,” he said.
“Easy access to hard core, degrading and often violent videos on the internet is warping young people’s views of what is normal or acceptable behaviour.
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