A children’s charity believes easy access to indecent material could be to blame for the shocking number of child sex offences being carried out by under 18s.
The NSPCC has unveiled statistics that showing 94 offences of child sexual abuse were carried reported in Derbyshire over the last three years.
The charity provides treatment to help reform children as young as five who show signs of harmful sexual behaviour, however it says readily available indecent material may have caused an increase in the number of children needing help.
Linda Ricketts, The NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service area coordinator for Derbyshire, said: “Our new ChildLine Schools Service is working in the High Peaks and across Derbyshire to help primary aged children between the age of nine and 11 understand what abuse is in an age appropriate way, how to protect themselves, and how to seek help if they need it including through ChildLine.”
ChildLine is available 24 hours a day for young people to speak in confidence on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
A Derbyshire police spokesman, said: “Of the 94 of the young people who were arrested on suspicion of these offences all were charged with an offence or given some other sort of official sanction.
“Derbyshire Constabulary works closely with councils and voluntary groups to ensure that victims of sexual offences feel confident to report their allegations.
“The force also has a team of specialist officers who deal exclusively with this kind of case.”
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