NSPCC Statement on the sentencing of Vanessa George

NSPCC chief executive Andrew Flanagan said: "Vanessa George's cruelty has been a wake-up call for everyone to realise that women do sexually abuse children.

"People still struggle to believe a woman will sexually abuse a child and even professionals working in this area can be reluctant to accept and address this reality.

"Children won't speak up if they fear no-one will believe them so when they pluck up the courage to say a woman has sexually abused them, we need to listen."

"Most child sexual abuse is still perpetrated by men but this case highlights the need for improved measures to protect children from female sex offenders."

During the last five years the number of children telling ChildLine they have been sexually assaulted by a woman has more than doubled to 2142.

Following today's sentencing the NSPCC is calling for:

• UK governments to issue new guidance on female child sex offenders
• Better risk assessment and treatment programmes for all convicted female sex offenders.
• Local agencies to ensure child protection professionals receive better training on abuse perpetrated by women.
• Local child protection policies and procedures should explicitly recognise that women also sexually abuse children.

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Notes to editors

In 2007 nearly 3000 people were prosecuted in England and Wales for committing sex offences against children, including rape, assault and grooming.

Last year 6623 children called ChildLine to report sexual assaults by men.