The journal says 15 per cent of girls and five per cent of boys have been sexually abused by the age of 18; between four and 16 per cent suffer physical abuse and 10 per cent of all children are exposed to emotional abuse. Neglect is the most common form of abuse, contributing to 44 per cent of all reported cases in the UK.
Even child abuse in settings such as schools and community health services is significantly under-reported, says the report. In a UK study of 43 schools, teachers and other staff blamed lack of access to qualified social workers, lack of feedback, and concerns about social services' ability to handle cases, for failing to report cases.
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