Press Release

13 September 2006

NSPCC calls on nation to Be the FULL STOP

The NSPCC today (Wednesday 13 September) launches Be the FULL STOP - a nationwide call for people to act on child cruelty. It comes as a heart-rending new survey finds one in ten adults felt unloved as children. ¹

The study reveals the deep distress of children who are emotionally abused by their parents or carers. Of those who said they grew up feeling unloved:

• one in ten (11%) became suicidal
• more than a quarter (28%) were depressed
• one in four (27%) were unable to concentrate in school

The NSPCC estimates there could be 1.4 million children today who feel unloved, based on the survey findings. ²

Be the FULL STOP is a major new drive in the NSPCC's FULL STOP campaign to end cruelty to children. Over the next 12 months, the charity is urging at least 1.4 million people to do something to stop child cruelty - one person for every unloved child.

People can join the campaign now by phoning 08000 12 12 11 or visiting www.bethefullstop.com. There they can get on the first-ever UK map of those committed to ending child cruelty.³ They can see how their actions add to those of many thousands of others to make a real difference for children - through campaigning, volunteering, donating and fundraising. They will join NSPCC ambassadors like Kylie Minogue and connect with a growing community of supporters in their neighbourhood and across the country.

Unacceptable levels of emotional abuse by parents and carers were reported in the NSPCC survey. The study found:

• Seventeen per cent of children were regularly shouted or screamed at
• Six per cent were regularly really afraid of their father, mother or carer
• Five per cent were regularly called stupid, lazy or worthless
• Five per cent were regularly humiliated or made to feel embarrassed
• Four per cent were regularly hurt or upset on purpose or made to feel disliked
  

The study shows how the devastating impact of missing out on a parent's love can last well into adulthood. A quarter of those unloved said it had damaged their confidence. Of this group many reported that it had left them angry and resentful (19%), damaged their adult relationships or job prospects (25%), or that it was always preying on their mind (17%).

NSPCC director Mary Marsh says: "Vast numbers of children's lives are blighted through feeling unloved. To deprive a child of love is abuse. Full Stop.

"For each child, emotional abuse is a lonely experience of suffering and misery. Being really scared of your parents, regularly being screamed at, or never being made to feel special are major causes of childhood distress."

"It doesn't have to be like this. All children should be loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. They have a right to grow up feeling loved - without anger and hatred aimed at them. The emotional scars can last a lifetime.

"Everyone can be part of the human barrier against child abuse. People sometimes feel abuse is too big a problem for them to make a difference. Be the FULL STOP is about showing people that everything they do - however small - adds up to ending cruelty to children. Every action counts."

The study shows how hard it is for children to escape emotional abuse. For one in three adults surveyed (33%) their ill-treatment went on throughout their childhood. For six in ten (59%), it gradually stopped only as they got older or when they left home.

To stop children and young people suffering abuse, the NSPCC is calling on the Government to fund helplines and online or text based counselling that provide them with 24-hour access to confidential advice and support. This would mean a counsellor is always there when a child calls and that more and better services are provided to vulnerable groups such as disabled children.

Be the FULL STOP is backed by a four week national advertising campaign on TV, billboards, press and online.

Additional links and information

Calls to ChidlLine about emotional abuse
View some examples of children who have been emotionally abused

TV advertising
Watch the two TV adverts for the Be the FULL STOP campaign

Celebrity support
Find out which celebrities are backing the campaign

Video News Release
Watch the Video News Release. This is in three parts:

Interview with ChildLine counsellor (broadband)
Interview with ChildLine counsellor (lowband)

Interview with Mary Marsh, NSPCC Chief Executive (broadband)
Interview with Mary Marsh, NSPCC Chief Executive (lowband)

Interview with a survivor (broadband)
Interview with a survivor (lowband)

Parenting and family support briefing
Link to the NSPCC media briefing on parenting and family support

For further information contact the NSPCC media office on 020 7825 7403 or out of hours 07976 206625

• The survey of 1795 adults was carried out for the NSPCC by BMRB between 27 July to 9 August 2006.
• ¹ 11% of the adults surveyed agreed that they felt unloved by their parents or carers. This is approximately 5 million adults (2001 census figures).
• ² Equivalent to 11% of 13.3 million children (under 18) in the UK (2001 census figures).
• ³ The online map has been constructed using Google Maps technology.
• 83 per cent of the adults surveyed agreed that making a child feel unloved is a form of abuse.

All names and identifying details have been changed to protect callers' identities.