Horrific number of Child Sex Crimes recorded last year

Statistics obtained by the NSPCC on the number of child sex crimes recorded in 2009 has drawn attention to the ongoing problem in England and Wales.

The figures are shocking. Over 21,000 cases were recorded last year.

As a solicitor dealing with child abuse compensation claims, the majority of cases I deal with relate to offences committed a number of years ago. These figures are a reminder that sexual abuse of children is a real problem, the true extent of which may be far worse as these statistics only reflect reported cases.

Interestingly, the statistics show that girls are six times more likely than boys to be the victim of a sex crime and cases where the victim and offender are known to each other are four times higher than those involving strangers. The statistics obtained by the NSPCC through a Freedom of Information request were reported by SKY NEWS earlier this week.