In a significant move, ten prominent child protection organizations have reached out to the Home Secretary, voicing their alarm over the exclusion of child sexual abuse from the government’s forthcoming strategy aimed at tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Concerns Raised by Leading Organizations

Among the signatories of the letter are well-known groups such as the NSPCC, Barnardo’s, and The Internet Watch Foundation. They emphasize that violence against women and girls and child sexual abuse are deeply intertwined issues. The organizations argue that an effective strategy addressing VAWG must also encompass measures against child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Government’s Position on Child Sexual Abuse

The alarm was triggered by a recent report from Sky News, which unveiled an internal Home Office document titled Our draft definition of VAWG. This document indicated that child sexual abuse and exploitation are not “explicitly within the scope” of the planned strategy, which is set to be unveiled in September.

Impact on Survivors

Poppy Eyre, a survivor who endured sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather at the tender age of four, voiced her concerns directly. She stated, “VAWG is – violence against women and girls. If you take child sexual abuse out of it, where are the girls?” This poignant remark highlights the vulnerability of girls within the scope of VAWG.

Statistics and Implications

The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, supported by the Home Office and a co-signer of the letter, projects that approximately 500,000 children in England and Wales experience sexual abuse annually. This staggering figure underscores the necessity for comprehensive strategies addressing child safety.

Call for Comprehensive Strategy

While the NSPCC has expressed approval of the government’s aim to reduce VAWG by half over the next decade, the organization has raised valid concerns. According to Anna Edmundson, head of policy at the NSPCC, to achieve this goal, the strategy must include “clear deliverable objectives to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation too.” This underscores the need for a unified approach in tackling such pressing societal issues.