Written by: Mary Howden
I’ve worked in Social Services in Scotland in one way or another since I was 17. For 15 years I supported adults who were survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Many of whom were scared, shameful, full of self remorse, believed they were to blame for what happened to them as children. They had low self esteem, were detached from their lives, hated themselves, self harmed and all are acutely aware of males around them judging, making comments, imposing themselves in their space. Sometimes letting themselves be used for sex. All traumatised by their experiences knowing they thought it was normal for children to experience sexual abuse. Their lives were shattered, unable to sustain relationships with others. Tentatively trying to trust enough to begin to deal with their trauma in childhood.
But, just how prevalent is child sexual abuse?
Barnardos state:
“Evidence from agencies tells us 1 in 6 children experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. While this is startling enough, we also know that this isn’t the whole picture: the level of child sexual abuse that’s self-reported in surveys is much higher than the level recorded by agencies. That means that 7 out of 8 of those experiencing child sexual abuse don’t come to the attention of police or local authorities.
At the end of 2019/20 Barnardos were running 76 child abuse and exploitation services across the UK”
The NSPCC states that data reveals
“Concerns around sexual abuse have been identified for over 2,800 children in the UK who are the subject of a child protection plan or on a child protection register.
Over a third of all police-recorded sexual offences are against children.
Girls and older children are more likely to experience sexual abuse.
The vast majority of children who experience sexual abuse were abused by someone they knew”
In 2020 they highlighted a 57% increase in child sexual abuse cases.
“There were 73,518 recorded offences including rape online grooming and sexual assault against children in the UK in 2019/20 - up 57% in the 5 years since 2014/15
Where gender and age were recorded
Girls were 4 more times likely to be victims
There were more than 8,000 offences committed against 14 year olds
Making it the most common age group to report offences
There were 12,734 sex crimes recorded against children under 10
449 offences were recorded against babies yet to reach their first birthday.”
These very high levels of abuse suggest that safeguards should be strengthened but this is not happening. I have watched in horror as individuals, organisations and government departments break down safeguards that were put in place to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Mixed sex facilities
The rise in mixed sex toilets in schools and council properties like swimming pools.
The rise in mixed sex changing rooms in shops and department stores.
The rise in using very sexualised material for the education of children and young people
The popularity of Drag Queen Story hour in libraries and schools. Read more from Safe Schools Alliance.
Politicians taking Drag Queens with sexualised names into primary schools to talk to children
The BBC endorsing a Family Sex show encouraging sexual behavior between adults & children
Libraries using inappropriate role models with children
Sex education for children which encourages children to have anal sex
A museum in Australia allowing men in fishnet tights and lingerie to play with children in a Lego pit
Government guidance which undermines safeguarding
The encouragement of secrecy from parents in guidance to schools and a policy which allows boys and girls to use the same toilets and sleep in the same accommodation in residential trips
The Scottish Government Wellbeing Surveys of Children & Young People seeking inappropriate information
MSPs tell us that men don’t need to pretend to be something they are not to abuse women and children. On 3rd March 2022 Shona Robison MSP said, “There is no evidence that predatory and abusive men have ever had to pretend to be anything else to carry out predatory and abusive behaviour.”
Disclosure Scotland, which runs a membership scheme for people who work with children or vulnerable adults, said last week that an individual’s past gender was not relevant for safeguarding purposes.
The role of charities
Staff in Children’s Charities sacked for inappropriate or criminal sexual behaviour with no real outcry, loss in status or funding
Charities such as Children in Scotland supporting and promoting children as young as 3 to change their gender
No safeguarding in recreational activities
When boys identify as girls safeguarding is ignored
Girlguiding allowing males to sleep in the same accommodation as young girls on residential trips
David Cameron summer camps
De stigmatisation of paedophilia
Activists talking openly about how we should understand paedophiles and rebranding them Minor Attracted Persons to make child rapists sound more acceptable.
Campaigner Peter Tatchell continues to unashamedly promote paedophillia
This list is not exhaustive but when collated like this it is astonishing. It is no surprise that there is an increase in child sexual abuse cases.
So who gains when society breaks down those safeguards put in pace to protect children and vulnerable adults?
Those who perpetrate this abuse. They are men in the community who are admired. They are doctors, teachers, priests, politicians, police officers, fathers, uncles, brothers, nephews and sons. They are men who figure out the best and easiest way to gain access to children. They like it when there are no boundaries or safeguards in their way.
Finally, who pays the price?
Unimaginable terrible things happen to children. Child protection, child safeguarding and family involvement whenever possible is a paramount requirement in a civilised society. It needs our Government and authorities responsible for the care and protection of children to stand steadfast to these principles. It must never be broken or eroded by societal fashions, whims or ideologies. But it also needs adults to stand up for children. We all have a responsibility to protect children from harm. We cannot stand idly by and let this onslaught of sexualised behaviour continue to influence our children’s lives. I intend to make a noise. Who will join me?