Henry Smith MP has given his support to the ‘It’s Time’ campaign from the NSPCC, which aims to ensure every child who suffers abuse receives the therapy they need to rebuild their lives.

Henry said;

“I completely support the NSPCC’s ‘It’s Time’ campaign, and I will be writing to the Health Secretary to ask him about the provisions that children receive when they are recovering from abuse.

“Last year I wrote about the importance of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, and continue to work with them both in Crawley and Westminster.

“The NSPCC’s statistic that every year, more than half a million children are abused in the UK – the equivalent of two children in each primary school class – is abhorrent.”

The ‘It’s Time’ campaign is highlighting the difficulties faced when accessing NHS and other services, including not meeting the criteria to receive therapy, or long waiting lists.

All too often children who have been abused have to develop chronic mental health problems, be suicidal or self-harm before therapeutic services become available to them, according to a large survey of professionals working with these children, and other findings by the charity.

Peter Wanless, Chief Executive at the NSPCC, commented;

“It shames our nation that children who have suffered abuse languish for months and even years without support. It’s Time to ensure that they automatically get the help they need to recover. We know that children are often left alone to deal with the corrosive emotional and psychological consequences of appalling abuse and that all too often they face long waits for help with their trauma, or the services offered aren’t appropriate for children whose lives have been turn upside down by their experiences: this must change.

“The views of professionals in this survey speak loud and clear. The Government and those that commission services urgently need to increase what is currently available to support this most vulnerable group of children. Getting help to these children earlier is vital and can prevent longer term damage to the lives of those who have survived the horror of abuse.”