News

Bereaved children are suffering in silence even when they are being abused following the death of a parent, according to Childline Scotland.

More than 900 children, some as young as seven, phoned Childline Scotland’s helpline last year to talk about their loss since they could not confide in their families or friends. Of those using the service, one in four children claimed they were being physically or sexually abused or neglected following the death of the parent or guardian who had previously protected them.

A majority of the callers were girls aged 11 to 16 years. Half of all calls concerned the death of a parent, while a third concerned the death of a pet.

Anne Houston, director of Childline Scotland, said: "Adults very often don’t bring up the topic of bereavement because they are scared they upset the children or remind them of what they have seen. But it is most likely that children want to talk, and we need to make sure they have somewhere to turn."