Daily roundup 5 November: Rape, walking rules, and missing children

One in four rape cases involving a child victim led to a prosecution, figures published today have shown. The BBC reports that statistics collated by the Inspectorate of Constabulary found that there were 9,949 rapes against children reported to police during the year 2014/15, of which 23 per cent result in prosecution.


A primary school has introduced a new rule that children must walk with their hands clasped behind their backs. The Guardian reports that the so-called “university walk”, for when pupils walk down corridors, was introduced by the new executive head teacher, Angela Abrahams, at St George the Martyr Primary School in Holborn, central London.


A charity has launched a website to support children who have run away from home or are considering it. Missing People's Runaway Helpline website allows young people to identify a range of options relating to why they are thinking of leaving, why they are already away from home or why they are still feeling unhappy after being away.


The internet activities of children from good homes means they are at the same risk of sexual abuse as less-fortunate children, a report by Barnardo’s and the Marie Collins Foundation has warned. The Telegraph reports the study found children never considered as “at risk” because of their backgrounds can fall victim to online abuse just as easily as those in abusive homes or care.


The number of under-25s in Scotland with life-shortening conditions has soared by half in the last 10 years, a report by the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland has found. The Scotsman reports there were 6,661 under-25s with a life-shortening condition in 2014/15 compared with 4,334 a decade ago.


A support programme for adoptive families in Northern Ireland has been awarded £700,000 by the Big Lottery Fund. Charities Adoption Routes and Adoption UK will work together to provide a therapeutic support service for families with adopted children aged between two and 12.


Funding to pay for one-to-one care for disabled children once a week over the school holidays in Essex has been cut, it has emerged. The Daily Gazette reports parents are distraught after Essex County Council, which paid for the support at Mistley Kids Club, withdrew the funding.