More than 500,000 children suffer cruelty, says NSPCC

Research released today by the charity estimated that 520,000 children were maltreated by their parent or guardian in 2011, but only 58,000 were subject to a child protection plan.

The report also concluded that 260,000 children have been maltreated by an adult away from home.

The charity said the findings highlight the need for more services designed to prevent the abuse and neglect of children.

“The hidden extent of child abuse and neglect revealed in this report is a national scandal,” said Lisa Harker, head of strategy at the NSPCC.

“When we discover abuse we must do everything we can to protect children from further harm and help them recover.

“But it’s vital to prevent abuse from happening to so many children in the first place.

“We need to shift policy across the UK towards early intervention – and set a new course that can stop cruelty blighting so many children’s lives.”

The charity’s estimate was based on 19 indicators, including youth suicide rates, sex offences against children, calls to ChildLine, exposure to sexual images online and child protection plan data.

The report also used the data to identify nine risk factors that the figures suggest are linked to child abuse and neglect.

These include having parents with mental health problems, living in poverty, domestic violence, being in care and belonging to a black or mixed ethnic community.