News

The Education Committee has announced an inquiry into Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) and Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) in schools in England. The deadline for submissions is 6 June 2014. Source: Parliament.uk 24 April 2014

We are pleased to announce the launch of this new 3 hour event which helps families understand how children are using the internet and what the risks are. The event looks at how children can be vulnerable online, including when they are using mobile phone apps and instant messaging, as well as looking at the risks created […]

Research from USwitch.com, an independent price comparison and switching service, has found that over three million (42%) families in the UK have found their children looking at violent, sexually explicit, upsetting or inappropriate content on the internet. The average age that children view this material is just over four years old. Source: USwitch.com 26 March […]

A new report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has found that police forces do not, in practice, prioritise cases of domestic abuse. It is considered a ‘poor relation’ to other areas of policing. Recommendations include: every police force publishing a detailed action plan of how they will tackle the problem; setting up a […]

The Crown Prosecution Service has announced the first UK prosecutions over female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK. Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, of Ilford, East London will be prosecuted for an alleged offence while working at the Whittington Hospital in London. Hasan Mohamed, 41, of Holloway, North London, will face a charge of intentionally encouraging […]

An amendment to the criminal justice bill has been tabled which could result in 2 year prison sentences for people convicted of cyber-bullying and text message abuse. Source: Guardian 26 March 2014

In a written statement to Parliament, the Education Secretary has announced that investigations will take place into allegations of historical child abuse relating to Jimmy Savile which took place in children’s homes and schools in England. Source: Department for Education 27 March 2014

The NSPCC has published the How safe are our children? 2014 report. It compiles the most robust, up-to-date child protection data that exists across each of the four nations in the UK. Key messages include: child protection is turning into an emergency service which can only react to the most serious cases due to insufficient […]

An article in the Guardian reports on the controversial decision of Judge Robert Bartfield to hold a 15-year-old victim of sexual abuse in custody for 20 hours to ensure attendance at court. Source: Guardian 05 March 2014

NSPCC research, commissioned by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, reveals that many of Jimmy Savile’s victims were ignored or laughed at when they tried to speak out about his sexual abuse. Others were convinced that no one would believe they had been abused by such a powerful, influential figure, so they remained silent. Source: NSPCC […]