Number of children put in care over 'emotional abuse' soars

Published on Wednesday 9 April 2008 10:36

THE number of Edinburgh children put into care because their parents have "emotionally abused" them has almost doubled in a year.

New figures show 61 youngsters were put on the child protection register because of emotional abuse last year, compared with 37 in 2005-6.

The rise has been put down to the growing number of children being brought up by drug addicts.

There are 6000 addicts in Edinburgh and drug problems have been at the heart of high-profile child protection cases in recent years, including Caleb Ness, who was shaken to death by his brain-damaged father in Leith in 2001.

The 11-month-old had been left in the care of his father and drug-addicted mother.

But, as well as physical abuse, there are growing fears drugs are also causing parents to make their children feel worthless, unloved or inadequate.

Emotional abuse can also involve making a child feel frequently frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.

The growing levels of emotional abuse, which led to more than one youngster a week put on the child protection register in 2006-7, is a concern for children's charities.

Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, said: "Unfortunately, many children in Scotland are growing up in very vulnerable situations.

"Emotional abuse is a factor in every case of physical or sexual abuse, but it can be hard to prove on its own.

"We know that children who are abused feel most of the pain on the inside.

"These figures may be a positive sign that more importance is being given to identifying and supporting children who have suffered from this highly-damaging, traumatic kind of abuse.

"However, it is not enough simply to rely on child protection agencies.

"Protecting children should be everyone's business, and we would like to see members of the extended family, friends and the wider community take responsibility for looking out for children."

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, the city's children and families leader, said: "The reason for the increase is partly due to the rising number of parents who have problems linked to drug and alcohol abuse, which sadly too often leads to neglect.

"Early intervention is a key priority for the department and we are in constant communication with all of the other relevant agencies who work with us to ensure that we meet the needs of each individual child."

Councillor Andrew Burns, Labour children and families spokesman, said he believed at least part of the rise was down to better reporting and swifter action being taken by social workers.

"Any rise of that level is of initial concern – it does seem a fairly stark increase," he said.

"It is fair to say that reporting mechanisms are now much better used and better understood.

"After increasing in previous years, the total number of children taken into care appears to have levelled out at 235 in 2006-7, which was just two less than in 2005-6."

He added: "I don't take the view that the overall figure is too high. I think it's better that these issues are being dealt with rather than hidden."