Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A new ten-year strategy for addressing child sexual abuse in Wales is currently under consultation by the Welsh government. It is reported that around 25,000 children and young people in Wales are victims of sexual abuse each year, with a rising trend in online abuse. This new plan is seen as the first of its kind in the UK, aiming to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse comprehensively.
Children’s Minister Dawn Bowden emphasized the importance of including the perspectives of those affected by sexual abuse in shaping and implementing the strategy. While engagement with key stakeholders has already begun, Bowden expressed the need for more input from individuals, organizations, and communities to contribute to this critical work. The consultation on the strategy will continue until September, with the intent for the plan to be in effect until 2035.
Key proposals within the strategy include encouraging adult survivors of sexual abuse to share their experiences, and ensuring that professionals working with children and families in Wales are knowledgeable about the lasting impact of such abuse. Additionally, there are plans to enhance visibility and accessibility of support services for adult survivors, as well as establishing “regional lived experience groups” for adolescents, including those in rural areas of Wales. Welsh ministers highlighted that while other UK nations have implemented shorter-term initiatives, Wales is leading the way with a decade-long strategic vision to tackle child sexual abuse.
In collaboration with various organizations and groups, such as adult victim-survivors, the NSPCC, and Barnardo’s, the Welsh government has developed the strategy based on lived experiences and expert insights. Minister Dawn Bowden emphasized the commitment to protecting children and supporting survivors throughout their lives with this pioneering strategy. Furthermore, Welsh ministers pledged their full engagement in the England and Wales inquiry into the sexual exploitation and abuse of children by grooming gangs, following criticism from political figures regarding the need for a Wales-wide inquiry
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.