Kids 'sexually abused every 20 mins in 2010'

Between 2009-10 over 23,000 children were sexually abused in the UK. This averages out at every twenty minutes a child was abused. Almost as tragic is the fact that one in four of the known suspects where under 18, children themselves.

Unfortunately, this is one area of crime that is showing an increase, up 8% from 2008-9 and 13% from 2007-8. One in four of the victims were aged 11 or under and more than 1,000 were four or younger, the data from the 43 forces showed.

The NSPCC is urging vigilance calling for people to report any concerns they may have about a child’s safety.