Coronavirus lockdown sees surge in calls to NSPCC as charity urges the public to rally around children to keep them safe

The children’s charity said that it has seen a 50% increase in calls to its helpline from adults who are worried about children facing threats and verbal abuse in the first month of lockdown, compared to the four weeks previous.

And as the coronavirus lockdown continues the NSPCC said there has been a weekly rise in contacts about neglect, physical and emotional abuse of children.

It says neglect calls to the helpline are up 4% and physical abuse calls are up by 9%.

According to the charity, lockdown is likely to be intensifying abuse and increasing the impact it has on children who can’t escape it.

For many children who suffer abuse, the protective eyes and ears of teachers are now not there.

The figures come ahead of an awareness campaign for the NSPCC Helpline funded by the Department for Education.

It is calling on the public to continue standing up for the many children who are hidden victims of coronavirus by contacting the charity.

NSPCC Chief Executive Peter Wanless said: “Children are the hidden victims of coronavirus and for young people stuck in unsafe homes during lockdown the abuse can be relentless with little opportunity of respite or escape.

“The frontline of child protection is no longer the school, it’s in our communities.

“Just like we come together to look out for older and vulnerable neighbours we need to make sure children are safe and well in these exceptional times.”

Mr Wanless said a call to the NSPCC Helpline could act as a lifeline for a child in these unprecedented circumstances.

He said: “Our helpline can act as a lifeline for a child struggling behind closed doors and the public can get in touch with any concerns so our professionals can provide advice or take action if a young person is at risk.”

Anyone who is concerned about a child’s wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or via [email protected]

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.