Breaking the Silence
Rachel was sexually abused by her father from the age of 3 to 16. Neither her teachers nor family welfare workers would or could offer help. ' I don't think they wanted to know, to be honest with you - it was as though it didn't really exist.'
At least 1,500 cases like Rachel's are reported every year. Many more are simply ignored, because the questions raised are considered too uncomfortable. A recent report by child care experts says- 'In our view, awareness of the extent of child sexual abuse is as limited as was awareness of physical child abuse in the late 60s'.
David Henshaw reports on the ways in which both victims and professionals deal with the problem, and looks at radical new schemes, both here and in Holland, to help the children who suffer in silence.
Producer CLAIRE WALMSLEY Editor COLIN ADAMS
HELP! page 75