A shortage of therapy services is the reason sexually abused children are missing out on recovery, according to a new NSPCC report.

Each year in the UK over 50,000 abused children will suffer behavioural and psychological problems because of where they live.

Access to therapy services for sexually abused children depends on a ‘postcode lottery’ according to the NSPCC with only one support programme in place for every 25,000 children and many areas of the country receiving no provision for therapy whatsoever.

There are currently just 508 services which are so restricted by budgets that many are forced to refuse access to therapy for new patients. Those who do receive treatment typically have a three month to one year wait before therapy begins.

Teenagers were identified as the most likely to miss out due to being too old for child protection plan support but unable to access adult services.

Lead researcher of the report Debbie Allnock said the consequences of sexual abuse to a child remains a low priority for mainstream health services and local authorities.

Therapy places would need to increase four-fold to cope with the estimated numbers of children being sexually abused and seeking support.

The Department of Health responded to the report stating that spending on child and adolescent mental health services had increased by 62% since 2003 and waiting times were being reduced year on year.

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