Press Releases

07 October 2008

The NSPCC is today (7 Oct) calling on primary school teachers to read a unique story about emotional abuse to every nine to 11-year-old in the UK. In the story, a small girl reflects the daily verbal bullying she gets from her parents in a fairy tale 'The princess and the secret'.

The story is part of a lesson plan - published in a Guardian Education supplement today - that aims to boost the emotional literacy of more than two million primary school children. It aims to help them speak to a teacher, or other trusted adult about their problems. The supplement will also help teachers recognise and respond to emotional abuse, which can easily go unnoticed.

NSPCC research shows that six per cent of all children experience frequent and severe emotional maltreatment.(1)

Top children's author Jacqueline Wilson is backing the NSPCC campaign. She says: "Emotional abuse doesn't leave obvious scars - but knocking children down with words can be just as damaging as a fist.  I aim in my books to show time and again that emotional abuse crushes a child's spirit, strips them of self-confidence, and dashes their dreams for the future."

"Children who are suffering abuse need to know it's ok to ask for help. That's why I'm backing the NSPCC's campaign to help all teachers know what to do if they think a child in their school needs someone to turn to."

An NSPCC online survey found that more than seven out of ten experienced professionals said they had dealt with cases of emotionally abused children in the last five years. Yet less than half of those surveyed (44%) felt they had enough knowledge and training themselves to deal with it.(2)

NSPCC director and chief executive Dame Mary Marsh said: "In every primary school class, there is likely to be at least one child carrying a secret burden of emotional abuse. For many of these children, hearing the story of the princess and her secret may be the first time they realise they are not alone. It can be the first step for any child to open up about their problems.

"From an early age, children need to feel their life is worthwhile, not worthless. As an ex-head teacher I know that boosting children's self-esteem helps children achieve better at school and can transform their life.

"Failure to tackle emotional abuse can lead children down the path of self-harm and even to the brink of suicide. We must ensure professionals get the proper training to make identifying emotional abuse a priority. This Guardian supplement makes an important contribution - given special impetus by the UN's concern expressed last week about the general climate of intolerance and negative attitudes towards children that exists in the UK."

Emotional abuse includes - being regularly frightened or shouted at, called stupid, lazy or worthless, humiliated, embarrassed, or being deliberately denied love and affection.

• 11% of young adults said that they had not been made to feel special by anyone during their childhood. (Cawson et al., 2000, Child Maltreatment in the UK: A Study of the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect, NSPCC, p.68)
• 18% of children experienced humiliation and/or attacks on self-esteem during childhood. (Cawson et al., 2000, Child Maltreatment in the UK: A Study of the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect, NSPCC, p.64 6% of children experienced frequent and severe emotional maltreatment during childhood.)

The NSPCC resource is aimed at teachers of nine to eleven-year-olds and includes curriculum-linked ideas for exploring the issue of emotional abuse further, plus links to other sources of help and advice for teachers. Teachers can download a free copy of the resources at www.nspcc.org.uk/resourcesforschools

Jacqueline Wilson's latest novel, Cookie is about a plain girl with the unfortunate name of Beauty. Although she has a loving and glamorous mother, she lives in fear of her domineering father's unpredictable moods. And when her father is in a rage, nothing Beauty does is right.

Ends

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Notes to editors:

(1) Cawson et al., 2000, Child Maltreatment in the UK: A Study of the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect, NSPCC

(2) Between December 2006 and February 2007 the NSPCC ran an online survey on child emotional abuse, hosted by the Guardian, aimed at professionals whose work involved elements of child protection. There were 807 completed surveys.

• The story featured in the NSPCC resource is written by children's author Narinder Dhami. For more on Narinder's books go to www.narinderdhami.com
• The NSPCC teachers resource originally appeared in an NSPCC sponsored supplement with Guardian Education, published on 7 October 2008.
• The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. We seek to achieve cultural, social and political change - influencing legislation, policy, practice, attitudes and behaviours for the benefit of children and young people. For more information visit www.nspcc.org.uk. 
• ChildLine on 0800 1111 is the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people. ChildLine is a service within the NSPCC since the two charities joined together in 2006. The ChildLine service is delivered in Scotland by CHILDREN 1ST on behalf of the NSPCC.