Halting neglect is impossible - but it has to be the aim

By Heather Jameson | 07 December 2021
  • Heather Jameson

The death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes has, understandably, provoked an outpouring of grief, shock and outrage across the country.

He becomes the latest in a tragic roll call of neglected, abused and murdered children: Victoria Climbié, Peter Connelly, Khyra Ishaq, Daniel Pelka. They all touched the hearts of the nation; they all provoked calls for action. But they are not the only ones to die.

The shameful truth is, the vast majority of children who die due to neglect and abuse go largely unnoticed. According to NSPCC between 2015-20 an average of 62 children died in the UK each year. More than one a week, yet just a handful caught the public eye.

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Childrens services Child abuse
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