Helping victims of sexual abuse

The Metro newspaper recently ran a series of articles discussing the need for increased therapeutic services for sexually abused children.
See the whole campaign history on Storify

We know that one in twenty children in the UK are sexually assaulted before the age of 18; yet services to help children overcome the trauma of sexual abuse are patchy and there is little  consistency in treatment across the country. The NSPCC wants to do something about this.
Infographic showing sexual abuse statistics

The NSPCC's work

We have recently started opening therapy centres across the UK specifically for sexually abused children and young people.

Victims from the age of four will be referred to us by children's services, health services, by their families or by contacting the service themselves.

We will work with these children for an average of one year; helping them understand their abuse and encouraging them to explore and express their feelings about it. We will also help them understand how to keep themselves safe in the future.

We will be making a huge difference to the children that we will be helping. However, we need to be doing more.

How you can help

Simply text METRO to 70744 to give £4 today. 

Your £4 could:

• buy art materials, enabling children to better express themselves during therapy sessions
• answer a call to ChildLine from a child suffering from sexual abuse who has gained the confidence to ask for help.

By texting METRO today, you will help us fund NSPCC services such as these therapy centres for the victims of sexual abuse or other services like the NSPCC Helpline. Wherever your donation is needed most, that's where it will go.

Thank you.

Texts cost £4 plus one standard message charge. The NSPCC will receive between £3.75 and £3.99 depending on your mobile operator.  Please ensure you have the bill payer's permission. By using this service you agree to being contacted by the NSPCC by telephone or SMS.

Photography by Paul Close, images posed by models.