Legal News
Concern over Treatment for Children with Harmful Behavioural Problems (21 September 2011)
Date: 21/09/2011
Keith Towler, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, has voiced his concern over the lack of services designed to treat children who display signs of sexually harmful behavioural problems. Mr. Towler claims that children in certain areas of the country were at a higher risk of sexual abuse from fellow children due to the lack of consistent treatment methods. In 2009, 308 children were found to have sexually abused other children in England and Wales. Recent data reveals that in Wales alone, there were 243 reports of child abuse by those aged 18 years or under. The Welsh Government is calling for a nationwide approach to tackle this serious issue.
Children who are displaying signs of sexually harmful behaviour or who have committed a sexual offence may be brought to the attention of social services, either by a relative or a teacher. They are then assessed and, if required, referred to a specialist. Yet Mr. Towler said that the current postcode lottery relating to the provision of specialist treatment is a big problem. Unless a family is prepared to travel and unless a specialist is willing to accept a referral from an outlying area, children at risk of committing sexual offences will fail to receive the resources they require. Mr. Towler is calling upon councils and health authorities to investigate the ways in which they are ensuring that essential resources are available for children who develop sexually harmful behaviour.
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