Children's champion Brooke baffles Blair

5.49.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Jun 2006

Annette Brooke MP questions Tony Blair on therapeutic services for children

Local MP Annette Brooke flummoxed the Prime Minister today by asking what the Government is doing to provide therapeutic services for sexually abused children.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Annette Brooke said:

"In light of the Prime Minster's avowed priority for victims of crime, will he ensure that therapeutic services will be made available for all children who have been sexually abused and for children who exhibit sexually harmful behaviour, often as a result of being sexually abused themselves? This would be in line with NSPCC recommendations on this issue."

Annette Brooke, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children, questioned the Prime Minister following the NSPCC's findings that an estimated 90 per cent of children who have suffered sexual abuse are currently receiving no support.

The NSPCC campaign 'Don't Hide It' encourages children who are experiencing sexual abuse to speak out about what's happening. It also calls upon the Government to ensure that local therapeutic services are available for all children who are victims of sexual abuse.

Mr Blair appeared unaware of the widely publicised campaign, and was unable to provide any answer on how therapeutic services are being used to assist abused children.

Annette Brooke said:

"The Prime Minister's lack of knowledge on this subject is rather worrying. I first raised the issue of therapeutic services in 2003 during a debate on the Sexual Offences Act, and it was discussed again only last week as we debated the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill.

"Clearly the Government needs to look into the matter in much more depth, and hopefully this question will be a catalyst for action."

To join the NSPCC campaign online, see: www.NSPCC.org.uk/campaigning.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Currently, the NSPCC has 75,000 active campaigners.

• NSPCC partner in campaigning lobby on behalf of the NSPCC for a variety of child protection causes. Recent successful campaigns include:

• Persuading Government to spend £1.5 million on raising public awareness of on line child protection - they have since spent £3 million.

• Securing a Children's Commissioner in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.