ChildLine - Phone Counselling for Victims of Online Sex Abuse and Bullying

ChildLine is being called by more children suffering online sexual abuse

The number of kids being counselled by ChildLine about online sexual abuse has more than doubled, new figures reveal.

The charity carried out 2,842 counselling sessions with child victims of the cyber bullies in 2013-14, a 168% increase from 2012-13.

The findings follow a separate report, carried out by the NSPCC charity late last year, which found social workers are struggling to keep pace with emerging types of child sex abuse like sexting and revenge porn.

The ChildLine figures, published in its annual report, also showed an 87% increase in the number of counselling sessions it is giving about online bullying.

Esther Rantzen says counselling must be available for children
who suffer online sex abuse

ChildLine founder Dame Esther Rantzen said: “Those young people I have spoken to tell me that they cannot talk to anyone else, there is nobody in their lives to confide in, except ChildLine.

“It is crucial that counselling is available for children who need it, and that those who work with young people are alert to the symptoms of depression and isolation.”

The charity says its volunteers receive 2,300 calls a day - on all matter of topics - from children who are desperate for help.

This is just a great idea! Every computer literate country should have a help-line like this.