NSPCC

The Need

The effects of sexual abuse are devastating. Without help, sexually abused children can develop long-term social, emotional and mental health problems. Sexual abuse usually occurs in secrecy with no witnesses. We cannot know for certain how many children are being abused right now. But we do know that many abused children (one third) will never tell anyone about their abuse, even into adulthood. We estimate that one in 20 children in the UK are sexually abused before they reach 18. And far too many of these children don’t get the help they need to recover from sexual abuse. The NSPCC is working hard to put an end to this. We’re here so that children don’t suffer in silence. We help children who have been abused, prevent abuse from happening in the first place, and make sure that every single person in the UK knows what to do to play their part.

Susan’s story

In her short life, Susan has experienced more suffering than most of us could ever imagine. But with time, we know we can help her turn her life around. Susan was emotionally and physically abused from birth by the very people who were supposed to protect her. Then, at six years old, her 18-year-old babysitter sexually abused her. Her mum and dad didn’t do anything about it and continued to see him and his family. How Susan felt after the trauma of sexual abuse didn’t matter. It was clear that Susan could no longer live with her parents, so arrangements were made for her to go into care. By the age of eight Susan was withdrawn, struggled to communicate and was bullied at school. She used to cling to her foster carer and bang her head against walls. Social services referred Susan to the NSPCC. Our therapeutic team work with Susan to help her overcome her experiences. Play therapy – painting, drawing and writing – have really helped Susan to make sense of what’s happened. Susan has been with us for just over a year now, and the future looks brighter for her. She has made friends at school and is finally able to say good things about herself. With a little more help things will get better for Susan.

ChidLine School Service

Many primary school children are suffering abuse and neglect. They can wait months, or even years, before calling us or getting any kind of help. Some suffer in silence for so long – at the hands of those who are meant to protect them – they believe what’s happening is normal. We’re going to protect these children, one primary school at a time. We’re going to teach them about abuse, tell them it’s OK to talk, and show them where to get help. By 2016, we aim to reach 1.8million children across the UK. We’re going to protect a generation of children from abuse.

To find out more about the NSPCC’s services including ChildLine visit www.nspcc.org.uk.

2013 Mission

David Tait, an NSPCC Trustee and one of the charity’s most inspiring fundraisers, is climbing Mount Everest for the fifth time in aid of the NSPCC.

David embodies everything you would expect from a fundraising hero: spirit, tenacity and a desire to test the limits. But unfortunately, this has not always been the case.

David suffered sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a family friend. His abuser threatened David, leaving him too terrified to tell anyone what had happened. He spent many years not understanding what had occurred, at great cost to himself and those around him.

“It was this suffering that helped push me to try to excel in whatever I do, to want to reach greater and greater achievements.”

His experiences drove him to be the first person ever to complete the North-South traverse of Everest in 2007. David’s resolve to make a difference comes from knowing that, had he received help at an earlier age, he would not have suffered as much.

Consequently, David is absolutely determined to make the future better for children.

David has raised over £650,000 from his previous climbs, and is aiming for a target of £1,000,000 for the 2013 mission.