As Childhood Day 2024 approaches on 7th June, Childline has raised concerns about a spike in the number of children contacting them about emotional abuse.
Operated by the NSPCC, the national charity helpline for children says it has seen a 5% increase in the number of counselling sessions it has delivered to children experiencing emotional abuse in the last 12 months.
In just over half of these sessions, children identified being shouted at or verbally abused as a top sub-concern, with being criticised, humiliated and called names being the second most common sub-concern.
The NSPCC says that, over time and without the right support, children subjected to emotional abuse can experience long-lasting effects on their social, emotional and physical health.
Help support children dealing with emotional abuse
Now they are urging communities to come together to help children by supporting their Childhood Day on 7th June.
People can donate money, volunteer their time at collection points or take part in the charity’s Childhood Day Mile to help raise vital funds and awareness.
Supermarket chain Lidl GB are the retail sponsor of Childhood Day, and all funds raised will go towards helping the NSPCC to deliver vital services for children and young people in need, including Childline, a free confidential helpline that supports children at risk.
The CEO of the NSPCC, Sir Peter Wanless, said:
“Half a million children a year suffer abuse in the UK.
“That means 7 children in a classroom experience abuse before they turn 18. This can’t go on and it doesn’t have to.
“It’s devastating to hear that contacts to Childline on emotional abuse are on the increase. We must remember that these are not children who are being overly sensitive or dislike being disciplined, they are being psychologically abused by the people who are there to protect them.
“For the past 140 years, the NSPCC has been working tirelessly to prevent abuse, change the law and support children at risk, but the charity knows that strong communities are at the heart of keeping children safe.
“That is why the charity is encouraging everyone to play their part and support Childhood Day. £4 raised could help a Childline counsellor answer a call to a child in need of help.”
Vital training for those working with children
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.
They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services.
Their courses include Safeguarding Children, Autism Awareness, and Understanding Domestic Abuse.
A trainer from FRT says:
“Sadly, for many children and young people, home is not the safe and happy place it should be, and those who are supposed to love and care for them most in the world can instead subject them to serious emotional and psychological harm.
“It’s really important that any children experiencing emotional abuse receive help and support to help them move forward from their experiences.”
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.