Childline: Court delays adding extra stress and worry on young victims
Our Childline counsellors across the UK have heard from young victims who are experiencing court delays, with many sharing that these waiting times have a devasting impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
One girl aged 17 told Childline: “We’re still waiting on the case to go to court. I can’t move on with my life in the meantime.
“I want to focus on school and my friends but find myself talking about what happened instead. I didn’t realise how dragged out the process would be.”
Another girl, aged 14, told counsellors: “The other person is getting on with their life while I’m stuck feeling anger, frustration, feeling numb, just waiting. I need the court case over with.”
New figures from the Ministry of Justice show that in 2024-25 there were almost 7,000 child sexual abuse cases awaiting trial at the Crown Court, being tried, or awaiting sentencing across England and Wales.
On average, children who have experienced sexual abuse or exploitation in England and Wales have to wait 10 months for their chance to see justice in the courts, and in the case of children aged 13 to 15, that delay rises to around 18 months.
These delays can cause or worsen feelings of depression, have led to suicidal thoughts, and can lead them to struggle with post-traumatic stress.
The NSPCC is calling on criminal justice agencies to fast track all open cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, particularly for under-16s, to help young people in this situation, and to provide victims with the therapeutic support they so desperately need.
Figures analysed by the NSPCC showed that last year saw a 14% increase in cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation going through the courts.
We believe this suggests children are becoming more confident in speaking up to safe, trusted adults or to our own Childline counsellors and seeking help when they experience abuse.
It can take a lot for a young person to speak out about something they have experienced. But simply talking about it and taking the first step can help them get the support they vitally need to help rebuild their lives.