Charity sees huge surge in child-sex abuse

Barnardo’s says following scandals the Rotherham revelations, it has seen an “unprecedented demand” for its services.

A record 2,118 child sexual exploitation victims were supported by the charity last year, up 78 per cent compared to 2010/2011.

The news comes as a specialist child abuse lawyer said more damning evidence could emerge in the Rotherham scandal that shows a link between police and perpetrators.

In order to deal with the increasing number of referrals from the police and local authorities, Barnado’s is seeking £370,000 in extra donations. Barnardo’s says it has worked with children as young as 11.

One girl who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, named only as Sally, was just 13 when she was targeted and groomed online by men who preyed on her vulnerability. Pretending to be her “boyfriends” they took her to parties and cajoled her into having sex with other men.

After being referred to Barnardo’s, a practitioner met with Sally, and spent hours listening to her. Eventually Sally built up her self-esteem, enabling her to escape her abusers.

Barnardo’s is appealing for help so that it can appoint more support workers. Last year it began operating in 10 new locations and now provides support in 47 areas across the UK.

The charity’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “Barnardo’s has been working to tackle the devastating impact of child sexual exploitation for two decades.

“The scale of this abuse is shocking – with more and more incidences of child sexual exploitation coming to light. Every day, more sexually exploited children are referred to us. Girls and boys from all walks of life can become victims of child sexual exploitation and the numbers are growing.”

Meanwhile, David Greenwood, of Switalskis Solicitors, represents 38 of the 1,400 children sexually exploited in the South Yorkshire town. He revealed that two of them asked him to make official complaints about PC Hassan Ali – who died in hospital following a collision with a car – alleging he was unwilling to pursue their claims of exploitation.

Mr Greenwood said the officer’s death would not be the end of the matter, and the wider scandal “is not going away”.

He said: “I’m pretty certain it will be bigger than it is even now. I think that evidence will emerge of links between perpetrators and police.”

He added: “I am sorry for his family and friends. Despite that, there is a truth that needs to be uncovered regarding how it was that 1,400 girls came to be exposed to this life-changing harm.”

David Crompton, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, said: “PC Ali was a well-liked officer whose colleagues are devastated by what has happened.”

The National Crime Agency is leading the investigation.

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