NSPCC: Nearly 7,000 child sexual abuse cases stuck in courts (Family Law Week)

NSPCC: Nearly 7,000 child sexual abuse cases stuck in courts – Family Law Week

On 19^th November 2025, the NSPCC called on Government to address the backlog of nearly 7,000 child sexual abuse and exploitation offence cases awaiting Crown Court trial.

The NSPCC writes:

• Child sexual abuse cases stuck in the court system hit nearly 7,000 — a 9% rise on the previous year.
• On average, victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation in England and Wales are waiting ten months for their chance to see justice in the courts. The delay jumps to around 18 months for cases of rape of a child aged 13 to 15.
• We’re calling on criminal justice agencies to fast-track all open cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, particularly for under-16s.

Maria Neophytou, Director of Strategy and Knowledge at NSPCC, said:

“No one should have to face agonisingly long waits for their case to go to court and reach a resolution, but this is especially true for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.

“Not only do these waits cause significant anxiety and worry for children who have already experienced serious trauma, but they can also delay young victims from being able to access the support they need to start to recover from abuse.

“We want the government to help ensure more young witnesses’ cases are going through the courts by using their upcoming response to the Leveson Inquiry to set out urgent action to tackle the remaining backlog and reduce delays for child victims.

“Too many children still can’t access the support they need to rebuild their lives following sexual abuse, so we are also urging the government to invest in therapeutic support for children and place a duty on local agencies to commission specialist support on local agencies through the Victims and Courts Bill.”

Read the full comment and press release here.