This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7877823.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Big increase in child abuse calls Big increase in child abuse calls
(1 day later)
The number of children contacting a sexual abuse helpline service has increased by almost 50% in three years.The number of children contacting a sexual abuse helpline service has increased by almost 50% in three years.
ChildLine in Scotland said it had counselled 2,849 youngsters in the last year - more than at any other time in its 18-year history.ChildLine in Scotland said it had counselled 2,849 youngsters in the last year - more than at any other time in its 18-year history.
The figure represents a 49% jump in numbers since 2004/5, when 1,908 children got in touch.The figure represents a 49% jump in numbers since 2004/5, when 1,908 children got in touch.
Of those contacting ChildLine last year, 127 children were aged seven or under.Of those contacting ChildLine last year, 127 children were aged seven or under.
Children's charity the NSPCC, which provides the ChildLine service, said the statistics showed there was a growing demand for the "vital" help it offered and a clear need to expand.Children's charity the NSPCC, which provides the ChildLine service, said the statistics showed there was a growing demand for the "vital" help it offered and a clear need to expand.
The charity urged people to support its Child's Voice Appeal - a three-year UK-wide campaign to raise £50m to develop the ChildLine service and the NSPCC's helpline for adults concerned about a child. Many of them [children] have been threatened or intimidated into silence Elaine ChalmersChildLine in Scotland The charity urged people to support its Child's Voice Appeal - a three-year UK-wide campaign to raise £50m to develop the ChildLine service and the NSPCC's helpline for adults concerned about a child.
Elaine Chalmers, head of ChildLine in Scotland, said: "Every day, ChildLine receives dozens of harrowing calls about sexual abuse from children, some of whom are very young indeed.Elaine Chalmers, head of ChildLine in Scotland, said: "Every day, ChildLine receives dozens of harrowing calls about sexual abuse from children, some of whom are very young indeed.
"Children phone to talk in confidence about suffering different kinds of sexual abuse, the vast majority of the abusers being people they know, either within their families, or the wider family circle."Children phone to talk in confidence about suffering different kinds of sexual abuse, the vast majority of the abusers being people they know, either within their families, or the wider family circle.
"They dare not speak about it, or ask for help, for fear of the consequences. Many of them have been threatened or intimidated into silence.""They dare not speak about it, or ask for help, for fear of the consequences. Many of them have been threatened or intimidated into silence."
She added that awareness campaigns and child sex abuse storylines on TV programmes like BBC soap EastEnders encouraged children to speak out.She added that awareness campaigns and child sex abuse storylines on TV programmes like BBC soap EastEnders encouraged children to speak out.
"As a result, more children now understand what sexual abuse is and are increasingly willing to turn to ChildLine for help," she said."As a result, more children now understand what sexual abuse is and are increasingly willing to turn to ChildLine for help," she said.
"More ChildLine counsellors over the last few years has also meant more children helped and this is reflected in these latest figures.""More ChildLine counsellors over the last few years has also meant more children helped and this is reflected in these latest figures."
'Cry for help''Cry for help'
Across the UK, the service counselled 13,237 children for sexual abuse last year - a 53% increase over three years.Across the UK, the service counselled 13,237 children for sexual abuse last year - a 53% increase over three years.
ChildLine said it was only able to answer two-thirds of the 2.3 million calls it received every year from across the country.ChildLine said it was only able to answer two-thirds of the 2.3 million calls it received every year from across the country.
To fund the expansion of the three ChildLine bases in Scotland, the charity said it needed to raise £8.6m through the Child's Voice Appeal.To fund the expansion of the three ChildLine bases in Scotland, the charity said it needed to raise £8.6m through the Child's Voice Appeal.
Esther Rantzen, the service's founder and president, said: "There are many children whose cries for help cannot be answered because ChildLine simply does not have enough resources to answer every call.Esther Rantzen, the service's founder and president, said: "There are many children whose cries for help cannot be answered because ChildLine simply does not have enough resources to answer every call.
"Our nightmare is the child who plucks up the courage to ring, fails to get through, and never dares try again.""Our nightmare is the child who plucks up the courage to ring, fails to get through, and never dares try again."
She said the service saved young lives and urgently needed to be expanded "so that every child's cry for help can be answered".She said the service saved young lives and urgently needed to be expanded "so that every child's cry for help can be answered".