Commenting on Childline’s annual review and analysis of the 85,000 calls it received last year, Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner said:
“The number of children calling Childline because of sexual or other abuse is concerning and it is worrying that so many of these feel that they have to fend for themselves. From our own work we know that children find it very difficult to tell people that they are being abused or neglected, so it is vital that parents and professionals get better at identifying the signs and stepping in.
“It is also worrying that the number of children who say they are unhappy or have low self-esteem has risen by 9 percent. It is important that we better understand what leads to mental health problems for children and do all we can to help prevent them.”