THE NSPCC is contacted on average 55 times a day by adults worried about neglect, the charity’s latest figures reveal.
The charity’s Helpline hears from concerned adults every day and night of the week with reports ranging from children being left unsupervised or with inadequate clothing, to being screamed at or living amongst mouldy food and animal faeces.
These calls resulted in 652 referrals to police and local authorities in Essex in 2017/18. *
To raise awareness of child neglect – the most common type of abuse affecting children in the UK – the NSPCC has launched its ‘Light For Every Childhood’ Christmas Appeal.
In 2017/18 the Helpline dealt with 19,937 calls and emails about child neglect – a third of all contacts to the NSPCC – with hundreds happening during the 12 days of Christmas.
During the festive period extended family members often get in touch with the NSPCC after spending more time with a young relative and becoming concerned for the child’s welfare.
The NSPCC Christmas Appeal is calling for donations to the NSPCC Helpline – which is open throughout the holidays – so they can answer more calls and help children suffering neglect both at Christmas and all year round.
One relative got in touch with the Helpline after visiting distant family over the Christmas period with concerns about a parent letting her young children get drunk and take drugs.
