Press Release

21 May 2007

The NSPCC is urging Gordon Brown to use his first 100 days as Prime Minister to help tackle violence against children. The charity says an urgent action plan is needed to combat bullying and provide counselling and therapy for all abused children.1

Over a hundred day period, it is estimated that 205,000 children will witness domestic violence.2 Last year, ChildLine counsellors spoke to nearly 50,000 children who had been affected by bullying or physical abuse. One in six children will be sexually abused before their 16th birthday.3

Dame Mary Marsh, director and chief executive of the NSPCC, says: "There couldn't be a better way for Gordon Brown to start his new premiership than by relieving the misery of children in desperate need of help.

"One in three children who call ChildLine tell us they are suffering violence and abuse, sometimes on a daily basis. Bullying has been the main reason why young people call ChildLine for ten years. They are only the ones we hear from. There are many more who don't speak out and don't know how to protect themselves."

Further insight into violence has come from children in a new NSPCC survey carried out by GfK NOP. 1172 boys and girls aged 11-16 were asked about violence in their lives. More than four out of five (81%) said violence is 'a major problem for young people nowadays', with two in five seeing it as simply 'part of growing up'. 4

One in three of the young people (35%) say they find it difficult to talk to anyone about violence. Less than half (44%) say that there is enough support and help for them to deal with violence and 28 per cent want specialist anti-bullying counsellors and school lessons on how to stay safe.

Dame Mary Marsh says: "Although a snapshot, this survey shows how children themselves feel that violence invades their lives at school, home and on the streets, sometimes daily. Children should not have to accept violence as part of growing up. Much of it could be stopped if governments across the UK took action." 

The survey found:

• 42 per cent of children said they had been hit, punched or kicked - and nine per cent attacked with a weapon or object - at school. Three-quarters said they had been bullied at school and more than one in five (22%) said they are scared of violence directed against them in school.
• One in four children said they had witnessed domestic violence between adult family members. Around half of the most recent incidents (47%) involved physical assaults and 13 per cent the use of an object or weapon. One third of young people (32%) believed that those responsible for the abuse last time had been drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
• One in six (16%) children said they had been hit, punched or kicked - and seven per cent attacked with a weapon or object - on the streets. Many more - six in ten (59%) - had witnessed violence or bullying between young people on the streets. Four in ten (38%) said they had been 'really scared' of violence towards them by young people they didn't know.

One in six young people said they took no action the last time they saw a violent or abusive incident on the street or at school - because they did not know what to do. Three in five said they were scared weapons would be used against them or their friends and only one in four believe young people know how to protect themselves.

Last year over one million children contacted the NSPCC after it encouraged them to speak out sexual abuse. This year's Don't Hide It initiative, aimed at 11-16 -year- olds, is urging children to speak out on all forms of abuse. The campaign is currently running on TV, radio and in viral ads and teen magazines and websites.

Don't Hide It is part of the NSPCC's FULL STOP campaign to end cruelty to children. Children can find help, advice and support at www.donthideit.com and by phoning ChildLine on 0800 1111.

Video News Releases

View an interview with NSPCC chief executive Dame Mary Marsh about the Don’t Hide It campaign - high band

View an interview with NSPCC chief executive Dame Mary Marsh about the Don’t Hide It campaign - low band

View an interview with Marie, 16, who grew up with domestic violence - high band

View an interview with Marie, 16, who grew up with domestic violence - low band

View an interview with Samira, 15, who was bullied at school - high band

View an interview with Samira, 15, who was bullied at school - low band

Ends

Media Office 020 7825 7403 or Out of hours 07976 206625

NSPCC celebrity support for Don't Hide It
See what our celebrity supporters have to say about Don't Hide It 

Notes to Editors
1. Once a new First Minister is appointed, NSPCC Cymru/Wales will be calling on them to ensure that all children and young people in Wales who experience abuse and violence have access to an appropriate child- centred therapeutic service when they need it. For information please contact NSPCC Cymru/Wales Communications department on 029 20 267 014. NSPCC Northern Ireland is calling on the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of the Executive of the NI Assembly to ensure that safeguarding children is at the top of their agenda, including structures within government, and that adequate funding is made available to ensure that children and young people get the help they need when they have been abused. For further information please contact NSPCC Northern Ireland communications department on 028 9035 5757 / 07920 531480 or 028 9035 5769 / 07779 010219. For Scotland , please contact : Anita Elizar, CHILDREN 1ST tel: 0131 446 2330.
2. DoH 2002, Women's Mental Health: Into the Mainstream.
3. Child Maltreatment in the United Kingdom - a study of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect. NSPCC 2000.
4. The survey was conducted by GfK NOP and was completed by 609 boys and 554 girls at 23 secondary schools. Schools taking part in the Violence in Young People's Lives survey came from across the UK and the Channel Islands. Surveys took place between Feb 28- April 17.
5. Don't Hide It runs for one month from Monday 14, May. It is currently featuring on TV, radio, popular websites, such as Habbo, Bebo, MyKindaPlace, Piczo, MSN and AOL Teens, and in teen magazines. Last year the NSPCC ran a Don't Hide It campaign on sexual abuse and over 1m children responded with online messages.
6. The NSPCC's continuing FULL STOP campaign was launched in March 1999.
7. People can join the 100 day challenge at www.nspcc.org.uk/campaigning.
 

Messages posted over the last five days on teen websites Bebo and Piczo in response to Don't Hide It

"Hiya. I'm only 11 and I get picked-on at school cos my dad died six years ago."

" u don't no me but i like yo site i was physically abused when i was 7 n after readin this site i felt i could come out about it n felt brave enough 2 write this message i am 16 now n it has been 9 years since it has happend but i still feel very depressed at times about what was done 2 me n i hav 2 say thanx 4 doin this page any1 who s being abused they should speak out."

"I am So Alone I Have Cuts On My Wrist And I Need Help I Dont Have Many Friends I Feel So Ugly Sometimes It Get So Bad"

"I was bullied but now have overcome it. I would just like to say to anyone who is reading this page that if you are being bullied DONT fight back it just doesnt work period. I tried to fight bak and it got me nowhere. Instead talk to a place like childline or a teacher or a friend someone who will be able to help you your parents wont be annoyed or worried about they will be glad that you spoke out so that you dont get hurt anymore and that they can stop the bullies bullying please do speak out - its the best thing you can do even if the bullies tell you not to.  trust me i should know lots of love to everyone xxxx"

i was bullied in primary and secondary school  by my so called best friends they ruined my life. they   would tease me n call me names they would laugh at me and spred rumours bout me. i would fake being ill jus 2 try n avoid them at school. i would have dun anythin jus 4 it 2 stop. in the end it jus became 2much. i ended up talkin 2 my mum n dad bout it in the middle of the nite. they rang the bully chat line n they gave us loads of advice.. ur website really made me tink wow people out there do care even though u dnt c it all the time."

"I Was Bullied For About 6 Years By The Same Girl, She Used To Beat Me Up, And Steal My Things ETC, Untill I Was In The Beginning Of Year 9 I Saw Your Site So I Told My Mum And She Sorted It Out So Thanks Hun x"

i got bullied aswell you know but as soon as i told the teacher it mostly got sorted out but now i see the school counciller and she helps a lot now the bullying has pretty much stopped

"thankyooh very much you have really helped me i couldnt do it before i wanted someting done about my problem and now i did seeing your video thanx xx"

"I cant bleve there r adults out there tht enjoy tormentin kids."