Last year 2000 girls told ChildLine about sexual abuse by their father

An average of five girls a day (1,986) called ChildLine last year about sexual abuse by their father.

The figure has been released as the hard-hitting film ‘Precious’ plays in cinemas nationwide. The BAFTA-nominated film tells the story of an abused sixteen-year-old girl called Precious. Precious is pregnant for the second time by her absent father, and is severely physically and emotionally abused by her mother. The film is set in New York in 1987, the year after ChildLine, now a service of the NSPCC, launched in the UK.

ChildLine founder and president Esther Rantzen says: “This film conveys the hopelessness of a child or young person who is being sexually abused, physically abused, and emotionally destroyed, within her own family.

“People sometimes find it difficult to understand why children and young people are imprisoned in their own suffering and cannot ask for help. This film explains it.

“However, children in the UK have the lifeline of the free, 24-hour helpline and online service that ChildLine provides. It’s essential that children know ChildLine exists, that calls are safe and confidential, and that we are there for them all day, every day of the year.”

Precious has a 15 certificate and Esther is urging any teenagers who see the film and are affected by the issues to call ChildLine immediately on 0800 1111.  Esther is also asking any adult who is worried about a child to call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

In the film Precious lives a chaotic life and can neither read nor write. With the help of a dedicated literacy teacher (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

Esther Rantzen continued: “Precious didn’t have a ChildLine to help her but we are here for children in the UK. For them, the ChildLine counsellor is that special person – the one who helps them speak out and gives them hope for a new life free from abuse.”

In the last ten years, ChildLine counsellors have helped more than 100,000 sexually abused children. Sexual abuse is still one of the main reasons children get in touch. For many, it is the first time they have told anyone about their ordeal.

Most girls who call ChildLine about sexual abuse are aged 12 to 15 years, but the youngest caller was just five years old. Two thirds (67%) of the girls who call ChildLine about sexual abuse say they have been raped.

One girl, aged just 11, called ChildLine and said: “I’m scared at home, scared of my dad. I feel angry and sick…he raped me, it just happened. Mum won’t believe me. She always believes what Dad says. It happened before when I was six…I want to kill myself.”

Another girl aged 14 said: “My dad raped me. It happened last night. It happens whenever he’s drunk and when Mum works late. I haven’t told anyone. Dad says it isn’t wrong to do what he did to me.”

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