Child homicides are most commonly (35%) perpetrated by the child’s parent or step-parent. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/statistics-briefings/child-deaths-abuse-neglect

• In the last five years, there was an average of 52 child deaths by assault or undetermined intent a year in the UK.
• Children under the age of one are the most likely age group to be killed by another person, followed by 16- to 24-year-olds.
• Child homicides are most commonly caused by the child’s parent or step-parent.

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/statistics-briefings/child-deaths-abuse-neglect

Why do we keep failing abused children? Genuine question so please feel free to answer.

Why?

I’m tired

What an understatement

I’m physically, mentally, and emotionally drained from my very inner core.

I am frustrated

Another understatement

I am seething so hard that I spend most of my day muttering to myself while I feel a constant flush of anger and resentment bubbling inside me.

Sara’s murder and today’s sentencing are beyond anything I can put words to.

Even as I type these words, I feel my shoulder drop and that heavy feeling I get now. It’s like a wave of nothingness going over me, draining all nice emotions out of me.

When I started in child protection, I was 21. The week before my 22nd birthday, I got my first “real” job, which set me on the path I am on now. That was….let me do the math…23 years ago.

For 23 years, I have been on one journey…to stop children and young people from suffering harm.

I have worked hard. So hard. As many of you have.

Regrettably, I’ve had to sacrifice my own family in many ways to meet the needs of children at risk or suffering harm.

I have studied, read, and learned as much as my brain will allow me to become the best practitioner I can be.

I started my own company just to have a platform where I could….speak the unspeakable. Say things others would not or when that was not being heard.

And for what exactly

It’s a double-sided sword because I have saved a child’s life. I am talking about doing something directly that stops a child from suffering significant harm or death. 4 children I have done that for.

I would say thousands on a lesser level. Doing different things to keep them safe and improve their chances of survival.

But yet, children are still dying around us at the hands of parents, family members, peers, and strangers.

I read some interesting data from the NSPCC, which I have linked below. This is the part I extracted from it.

Data on the number of people dying due to assault, neglect, or undetermined intent is published in five-year age brackets. This means it is only possible to extract data for children who died under the age of 15.

The most recent data available for all four nations is for 2022.

• In 2022 there were a total of 67 child (under 15) deaths by assault or undetermined intent in the UK: 64 in England, 0 in Scotland, 0 in Northern Ireland and 3 in Wales.

• For the last five years (2018 – 2022), there was an average of 52 child deaths by assault or undetermined intent a year in the UK

(Sources: NOMIS, 2023; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), 2023; National Records of Scotland, 2023)

On average, at least one child is killed a week in the UK.

Offense statistics provide annual figures for the number of child homicides recorded by the police. The term “homicide” covers the offenses of murder, manslaughter, and infanticide. A homicide is recorded at the point at which the police first become aware of the incident. This means suspected homicides that have not yet been fully investigated and for which there is yet to be a conviction are included in the count.

Data on the number of homicide victims under the age of 18 is not published but is requested by the NSPCC on an annual basis.

• In 2022/23 there were 74 child (under 18) homicides in the UK: 71 in England, 2 in Northern Ireland, 0 in Scotland, and 1 in Wales.

• In the last five years (2018/19 – 2022/23) there was an average of 80 child homicides a year in the UK

• On average, at least one child is killed a week in the UK. (Sources: Home Office recorded crime statistics data provided to the NSPCC, Scottish Government recorded crime statistics data provided to the NSPCC and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), 2023)

Child homicides are most commonly perpetrated by the child’s parent or step-parent.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) homicide statistics include figures on the relationship between the child victims (defined in their publications as children under the age of 16) and the principal suspect for England and Wales. The relationship of the victim to the suspect is defined as son/daughter; other family/ friend or acquaintance; stranger; no suspect. In cases where the relationship is categorized as “son/daughter” the suspect could be the child’s birthparent, step-parent or adoptive parent.

• Child homicides are most commonly (35%) perpetrated by the child’s parent or step-parent.

• It is very rare for those aged under 16 years to be killed by a stranger, with four such offences in the year ending March 2023.

 • As of 12 December 2023, there were 18 victims aged under 16 years (38%) for whom no suspect had been identified. This number is likely to fall as police investigations continue.  (Source: ONS, 2024

It is there in black and white.

How our children are dying

Why?

Our children. Because they are all our children, you know. It’s not okay to just make sure your child is okay or even just the children in your school or charity or whatever.

Na

It doesn’t work like that

Why are we not marching the streets and screaming the names of every child who is harmed? Why are we not in an uproar demanding answers, and what do the powers that be a plan to do?

How many  more bloody lesson-learned  documents need to be published….public “apologies” and promise to “do better.”

Me

I think I am done. I don’t see what else I can do or who I can influence. I don’t know what else I can say, scream, or….anything.

I came into this arena as a child who suffered significant harm with one goal…to make it stop.

And I have failed.

We have ALL failed Sara Sharif and every child that was killed before her since her death, and all the ones that will have their lives taken before the end of this year.

I am sorry we have failed to keep you all safe.

I’m tired. I am so sick and tired.

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/statistics-briefings/child-deaths-abuse-neglect