NSPCC calls rise after Savile case

The number of calls made to a charity helpline reporting sex abuse this summer has been "significantly higher" than last year, the head of NSPCC helpline said today.

John Cameron said that the Jimmy Savile scandal is "changing the way in which people react to abuse".

"There appears to be a clear shift and the public now seem better equipped and more confident to report their concerns.

"The Savile scandal has shocked the nation but has also increased public awareness of how difficult it is for children to speak out and how crucial it is for adults to report any suspicions or concerns they have straight away."

The fallout of the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal has seen the number of calls made to a charity helpline reporting sex abuse nearly double compared with last year.

Staff at the NSPCC received 594 calls to its helpline in June and July this year to report sexual abuse, compared with 323 in the same period last year.