Rise in child neglect calls to NSPCC Helpline

The appalling suffering of Khyra Ishaq, who was systematically starved to the point of death, has highlighted the issue of serious child neglect in the UK.

As the seven-year-old's mother, Angela Gordon and stepfather Junaid Abuhamza, were found guilty of her manslaughter today the NSPCC revealed that calls to its Helpline about children suffering neglect have gone up by one-third in the last five years. More than half of these are so serious they have to be passed to police or social services.  

Since 2004 annual calls about neglect* have increased from around 4800 to over 6500 with nearly 3800 of these being serious enough to need immediate help from professionals.

Head of the NSPCC Helpline, John Cameron said: Starving, dirty, unloved children sounds like a scene from the Victorian era, but this is happening now in the 21st Century. Every day we get calls about children living in appalling and dangerous conditions or who are not being fed, clothed or looked after.

"One five-year-old girl we were asked to help was so hungry she started eating toilet paper. Another case involved a baby whose home was covered in dog mess, rubbish, dirty pans and old nappies. And four children aged just two to six years old were said to be living in a house that smelled like 'a rotting corpse.'

"Though many people do call us to report children being neglected there are others who do nothing despite suspecting something is not right. And even professionals working in this area sometimes struggle to know what to do.

"Screams and cries of 'let me out' were reportedly heard coming from Khyra's house and she was seen scavenging for scraps of food in the garden. One neighbour said she saw the starving girl whimpering in the back garden before she died, dressed in just her underwear. Sadly no one did enough to save her."

John Cameron continued: "Child protection is everybody's responsibility. So if you have any concerns take action as soon as possible and call our free Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Some people might not want to make that call but they shouldn't shirk responsibility because a child's life could depend on it."

- Ends -

Media office on 020 7825 2602 out of hours mobile 07976 206 625.
Regional Communications Offices:
North: 0113 229 9343. Out of hours: 07929 201096
South East: 01293 651841. Out of hours: 07966 527987
Midlands and West: 0116 274 7887. Out of hours: 07866 545257/ 07970 746272
Wales: 029 2026 7014. Out of hours: 07977 127064
Scotland: 0207 650 6767. Out of hours: 07760 2702021

Notes to editors:

* Possible signs that a child is neglected:
- Constantly hungry or stealing food.
- Constantly dirty or 'smelly'.
- Inappropriately dressed.
- Underweight or very small for their age.
- Tired all the time.
- Missing out on medical or dental care.
- Absent or having problems at school.
- Having few or no friends.
- Being left alone or unsupervised.
- Having to care for younger siblings.
- Being abandoned or deserted by parent or carer.
- Living in dangerous conditions i.e. around drugs, alcohol, violence.
- Often being angry or aggressive.
- Self harming.

About the NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year. The 0808 800 5000 NSPCC Helpline is the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for anyone worried about a child's safety. Trained advisors are on hand to provide help, advice and support, or take action on your behalf if you have concerns for a child.