'Lack of help' for young abusers

Children's experiences often shape their sexual attitudes

Young people across Wales are at risk because of a lack of services that help children who sexually abuse others, a charity has warned.

Barnardo's Cymru said in many parts of Wales young people's "sexually harmful behaviour" went "unaddressed".

The charity has launched a campaign to make specialist help available.

A spokesman said children and adolescents who sexually harm others had often been abused themselves and were "very vulnerable".

The campaign is supported by the Taith service - a partnership of Barnardo's Cymru, South Wales Police and seven local authorities in south Wales.

It aims to ensure that all of Wales' local councils has procedures in place to deal with the problem.

Future risk

Barnardo's Cymru also wants the Welsh assembly to provide more funding to help children who sexually abuse.

The charity's director, Raymond Ciborowski, said: "The majority of children who sexually harm have suffered some sort of abuse themselves and are very vulnerable and in need of support.

"Their own experiences shape their sexual attitudes and make it difficult for them to see their behaviour as wrong or empathise with others."

Mr Ciborowski said he was concerned the needs of these young people were not being met in many parts of Wales - which could lead to other children being placed at risk in the future.

In the past five years, the Taith service has treated almost 400 children aged between eight and 18 in south Wales.

Thirteen-year-old Michael, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, was referred to Taith after he abused his younger sister.

His project worker said was "very, very unhappy" and hostile when he first came to the service.

"When he came to us, he knew what he had done was wrong, but he didn't initially feel sorry about it. We challenged these attitudes and helped him to realise the impact his abuse had on his sister," he said.

We need to recognise these young people as children in need as well as young people who can pose significant risk to others Taith project worker

"By the time he left the service his attitudes had changed and he was very sorry for what he had done. He understood how damaging abuse was, and was keen not to re-offend."

Most young people who sexually harm do not go on to become adult offenders, the charity said.

But research shows many adult offenders do begin offending at a young age and early intervention is seen as key to protecting children.

Taith manager Pat Duke said: "Childhood and adolescence are crucial stages in a young person's development and if their issues are dealt with at an early stage, it is possible to help them change their behaviour.

"We need to recognise these young people as children in need as well as young people who can pose significant risk to others."

The Welsh Assembly Government said it had published guidance on how to help children who sexually abuse in 2000.

A spokeswoman said: "The guidance outlines key principles which should guide work with these children... Local authorities are expected to treat the children and young people concerned as being in need and provide the appropriate services."