Menu
13/08/2012
One-Fifth Of Child Sexual Assaults Done By Family
Almost one in five of sexual assaults against children in Northern Ireland are carried out by a member of the child's immediate family, research suggests.
The NSPCC analysed police data to assess crimes against children between 2008 and 2010.
It found that sexual offences against children accounted for 56% of all reported sexual crime, and one third of sexual offenders were aged between 10 and 19.
In Northern Ireland, just over a quarter (28%) of sexual offenders were strangers to the victim.
44% of sexual offenders were known to but not related to the victim and almost one in five offences were family member.
The NSPCC also analysed figured from about half of police forces in England and Wales, and drew the conclusion that strangers were responsible for only 7% of reported sexual abuse incidents last year.
The charity has called on the Department of Justice and the PSNI to collate victim information and publish it centrally.
Neil Anderson, NSPCC NI head of service, said: "There is sometimes the perception that child sex offenders are strangers - sinister figures lurking in the shadows.
"But the reality is that most victims know their abusers. They are more likely to be a relative, neighbour or family friend rather than someone they have never met before.
"Many of the victims are threatened or intimidated into silence, with some thinking no-one will believe them or that their revelations will break up their family.
"This means some offenders go unpunished and are at liberty to abuse more youngsters."
(NE)
The NSPCC analysed police data to assess crimes against children between 2008 and 2010.
It found that sexual offences against children accounted for 56% of all reported sexual crime, and one third of sexual offenders were aged between 10 and 19.
In Northern Ireland, just over a quarter (28%) of sexual offenders were strangers to the victim.
44% of sexual offenders were known to but not related to the victim and almost one in five offences were family member.
The NSPCC also analysed figured from about half of police forces in England and Wales, and drew the conclusion that strangers were responsible for only 7% of reported sexual abuse incidents last year.
The charity has called on the Department of Justice and the PSNI to collate victim information and publish it centrally.
Neil Anderson, NSPCC NI head of service, said: "There is sometimes the perception that child sex offenders are strangers - sinister figures lurking in the shadows.
"But the reality is that most victims know their abusers. They are more likely to be a relative, neighbour or family friend rather than someone they have never met before.
"Many of the victims are threatened or intimidated into silence, with some thinking no-one will believe them or that their revelations will break up their family.
"This means some offenders go unpunished and are at liberty to abuse more youngsters."
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Calls For 'Immediate And Decisive' Action On Child Hunger The Alliance Party has called for "immediate and decisive" action to address the growing crisis of child hunger in Northern Ireland.
Other News In Brief
Alliance Calls For 'Immediate And Decisive' Action On Child Hunger The Alliance Party has called for "immediate and decisive" action to address the growing crisis of child hunger in Northern Ireland.
18 November 2024
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
15 November 2024
Man Extradited From US Over Historical Child Sex Abuse
A 68-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of indecent assaults on a child in the 1970s. Damien Desmond Anderson, originally from L'Derry, was extradited from the US to face justice. He was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault against a female who was 11 years old at the time of the abuse.
Man Extradited From US Over Historical Child Sex Abuse
A 68-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of indecent assaults on a child in the 1970s. Damien Desmond Anderson, originally from L'Derry, was extradited from the US to face justice. He was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault against a female who was 11 years old at the time of the abuse.
15 March 2023
83 Child Predators Convicted In 2022
The PSNI have recorded a 43% increase in the number of searches conducted by the Child Internet Protection Team (CIPT). In 2022, CIPT officers carried out 145 searches, 43% more than 2021, seized thousands of devices and uncovered tens of thousands of indecent images of children.
83 Child Predators Convicted In 2022
The PSNI have recorded a 43% increase in the number of searches conducted by the Child Internet Protection Team (CIPT). In 2022, CIPT officers carried out 145 searches, 43% more than 2021, seized thousands of devices and uncovered tens of thousands of indecent images of children.
06 July 2021
Legislation Introduced To Strengthen NI's Sexual Offences And Trafficking Laws
New legislation to improve public safety by updating the law on sexual offending in Northern Ireland has been introduced by Justice Minister Naomi Long.
Legislation Introduced To Strengthen NI's Sexual Offences And Trafficking Laws
New legislation to improve public safety by updating the law on sexual offending in Northern Ireland has been introduced by Justice Minister Naomi Long.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
