Reports of child abuse soar in wake of Baby P case

CHILDREN’S charity the NSPCC said yesterday callers reporting serious child abuse to its helpline had jumped by more than a third since the death of Baby Peter two years ago.

The figures came as the industry’s main union, UNISON, warned that social workers were already overstretched and that morale is at “rock bottom”.

The charity said it believed Baby P’s death in August 2007 in appalling circumstances had triggered the rise in calls, with more people apparently willing to report abuse.

Peter died after suffering more than 50 injuries during months of abuse at his home in Haringey in north London.

Many of the calls were about children being physically assaulted, sexually abused or badly neglected. Most came from neighbours, relatives and friends of the family, it said.

“Fortunately people seem to be more aware of children who might be at risk of serious harm and are taking action to help them,” said Christine Renouf, director of the helpline.