NSPCCC Child Abuse Campaign

Written by Kirsty Williams AM and published in County Times 23rd November 2007 on Fri 23rd Nov 2007

This autumn the NSPCC have moved with a bang into the second phase of their 'Cruelty to children must stop. FULL STOP.' Campaign. My postbag has been full of postcards sent by constituents as part of the NSPCCs call on organisations and individuals to make protecting children in our communities a priority. Having successfully spent the last eight years of the campaign raising awareness of child cruelty issues they are now moving to push us all to take action to end child cruelty full stop.

With just under 5,000 child cruelty crimes reported in 2006 this is clearly a vital and worthwhile campaign and I shall be doing all I can in my role as Assembly Member to play my part in taking action against Child Abuse.

It is a horrific figure that at least one child dies each week as a direct result of abuse or neglect; one so horrific that I am sure all of us will be pushed into action. Indeed as part of their campaign the NSPCC is calling for each of us undertake at least one act no matter how large or small to help stop child cruelty - from fundraising and donating to campaigning and volunteering every one of us can take action and raise awareness.

In the eight years since the NSPCC launched this campaign they have carried out heroic work in their fight to tackle child abuse, and to continue this good work they need our continued support. For that reason I have recently met with the NSPCC to discuss their work and how I can support the campaign. I have also written to the Minister for Education, Children and Young People asking to know what action the Welsh Assembly Government is taking to help community organisations protect children. Along with other AMs I have signed up to a statement of opinion commending the campaign.

Within Powys the total number of child protection referrals received into Social Services for the 1st quarter of 2007-2008 was 320, whilst this shows a positive decrease of 7% from the previous quarter it is still 320 cases too many. I am seeking a meeting with Powys County Council to discuss and identify the child protection issues affecting children and young people in Powys and how such figures can be reduced and how child cruelty can be prevented within our communities.

With as many as 2160 children in Wales on the Child Protection Register we still face a huge challenge to end child cruelty crimes but I hope that we as organisations, representatives and individuals can continue to effectively work together to ensure that all children today and in the future can grow, learn and play in a safe and loving environment.

Further information on the Full Stop campaign can be found at http://www.nspcc.org.uk/ or NSPCC Cymru, 13th Floor, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AG; Tel: 029 2026 7000; Fax: 029 2022 3628