NSPCC. Cruelty to children must stop. FULL STOP

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FAQs

Find answers to the questions that journalists most frequently ask our Media Officers

What exactly does the NSPCC do?

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is the UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. We have been directly involved in protecting children and campaigning on their behalf for almost 120 years. It has services throughout the UK and the Channel islands which help more than 10,000 children and their families every year.

We operate a free 24-hour Child Protection Helpline that provides information, advice and counselling to anyone concerned about a child's safety. We also operate a bilingual Welsh helpline, an Asian helpline in five Asian languages, and a textphone service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. We run public education campaigns to increase understanding about child abuse and provide advice and support on positive parenting.

We also operate the ChidLine helpline which provides support to children and young people.

We campaign to persuade government, Parliament and opinion-formers to put children's issues at the top of the political agenda; offer child protection training and advice for organisations involved in the care, protection and education of children. We research into the nature and effects of child abuse; and fundraise through individual and corporate supporters which provides 85% of the money needed to pay for our work to end cruelty to children.

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When was the NSPCC founded, and by whom?

The NSPCC was founded in 1884 by the Reverend Benjamin Waugh. We are the only UK children's charity with statutory powers that enable it to take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse. Our mission is to end cruelty to children. Our vision is a society in which all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. In other words, a society that will not tolerate child abuse - whether sexual, physical, emotional, or neglect.

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What is the FULL STOP Campaign?

The FULL STOP Campaign was launched in 1999 and is the NSPCC's most ambitious challenge since we first started protecting children more than 100 years ago. Our mission is to end cruelty to children. FULL STOP. We believe this can be achieved, but only with the support and commitment of everyone, in every part of our society.

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How much has the FULL STOP Campaign raised so far?

Almost £100 million.

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How will this money be spent?

It will be spent developing services to end child abuse.

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Is it ever going to be possible to end child abuse completely?

There is nothing inevitable about child cruelty. Someone, somewhere nearly always knows or suspects something is going on when a child is being abused. What is needed is for everyone to act on those concerns. Of course, we are not going to end child abuse overnight. But if we all work together, step by step, then slowly we can start bringing down the rates of child cruelty in this country. Ending child abuse in this country relies on each and every one of us taking action against it.

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What is your organisational structure and how many staff do you employ?

The NSPCC employs c2500 people and covers the UK and the Channel islands. Our 177 community-based divisions work within five Divisions: three in England, one in Wales and one covering Northern Ireland. Their work is funded by funds raised by a national network of 200 Community Appeals branches and by our central fundraising departments. We also have 17,000 Community Appeals Volunteers who are vital to the success of our fundraising effort.

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How do you work with Social Services?

We are represented on ACPCs (Area Child Protection Committees) throughout the country along with social services and other agencies. We also work closely with them in the provision of services to help children and their families. Our national Child Protection Helpline also refers serious child protection calls to social services departments.

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