SIR,

I would like to say a personal thank you to all of your readers in Monmouthshire who have helped support the NSPCC throughout 2012, which has seen many high profile sexual abuse cases being investigated and reported.

Many people will have seen or heard about the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse inquiry in the media.

As of early December, the NSPCC and the police have identified over 450 victims of sexual abuse by Savile. 80 per cent of these were children or young people and the offences include more than 30 rapes.

Overall, the number of contacts to the NSPCC helpline around sexual abuse, both historic and current, has nearly tripled since the Savile revelations.

This means we can help more historic victims than ever before to finally get the support they need and, crucially, we can also protect children who are at risk right now.

Child abuse remains a widespread problem and children are still being abused today. However, we understand that many people are still not sure where to turn to or how to report their suspicions.

Anyone who has a concern about a child can contact the NSPCC's helpline for advice and support about any issues relating to child abuse, past or present, on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

In November we launched a national appeal for 4,000 volunteers for the ChildLine Schools Service.

The service focuses on nine to 11-year-olds and aims to visit every primary school in the UK by 2016.

Using assemblies and workshops, the new service is designed to help younger children understand what abuse is and how they can stay safe, and to encourage children to recognise situations where they may need help and how to get it.

In South East Wales the service now needs to recruit 40 volunteers to reach every primary school in three years, including the 54 schools and over 10,000 children in Monmouthshire.

NSPCC research shows that an average of two children in every primary school classroom has suffered from abuse or neglect and the majority of cases go undetected.

These young children often feel alone and desperate and many have nobody to turn to.

Most children who contact ChildLine are over 11 years of age, many of these children suffered in silence for months or even years before eventually finding the courage to contact us.

If we are really serious about stopping child abuse, we need to reach these children when they are younger.

We have made significant strides to help children this year, but still need the public's support in Monmouthshire continue our work, 90 per cent of our income comes from voluntary donations so we rely heavily on the generosity of the public to provide our vital services.

To learn more about these vital services you can visit our website http://www.nspcc.org.uk">www.nspcc.org.uk

Wishing all your readers a Happy New Year.

Jo Leonard

(NSPCC Community

Fundraising Manager)