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Violence against young children doubles

24/04/2008

Violence against young children has more than doubled since 2006, research from Cardiff University has shown today.

While serious violence fell sharply for other age groups across England and Wales in 2007, incidents involving children aged up to ten rose from 3,805 in 2006 to 8,067 in 2007.

The researchers revealed the rise after analysing attendances data from a representative sample of accident and emergency (A&E) departments across England and Wales, including major city hospitals.

Violence Research Group director Professor Jonathan Shepherd described the rise in violence against children as "worrying" but added the overall numbers remain low.

"It is not clear whether this increase is caused by parents and carers - there is also evidence that violence between children in schools and public places may also be responsible," he added.

"Whatever the cause, the roles of child safeguarding agencies such as the police, the NHS and local authorities should be enhanced to deal with this problem."

Other figures from the study show that there was an overall 12 per cent drop in violence-related attendance to A&E departments.

An estimated 322,000 people attended hospital casualty departments following assaults - 43,000 fewer than in 2006.

Young men remain the most likely group to be assaulted, with attacks highest on Saturday and Sunday.

"Last year, we saw a two per cent fall in violence-related serious injuries, suggesting that the 2005 Licensing Act had not had the feared effect on city centre assaults. This year's 12 per cent fall confirms that," said Professor Shepherd.

"Our annual violence study has now recorded a consistent drop in serious injuries since 2000.

"The A&E data suggests overall violence is coming under control, possibly through better-targeted policing and the work of local crime and disorder reduction partnerships."