The Welsh Government has launched a public consultation on a landmark 10-year strategy to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse, following alarming figures that estimate around 25,000 children in Wales are affected each year.
This comprehensive long-term plan is the first of its kind in the UK and seeks to address both online and offline abuse. Officials warn that cases of online sexual abuse are rising rapidly, prompting urgent calls for action across all sectors of society.
Children’s Minister Dawn Bowden stressed that the voices of victims and survivors will be central to shaping and delivering the strategy.
While key stakeholders have already been consulted, the Government is now inviting individuals, organizations, and communities to contribute their views through a public consultation running until September 2025.
The strategy, set to run until 2035, is designed to improve prevention, raise awareness, and ensure robust support systems for victims and survivors across Wales.
According to recent research cited by the Welsh Government, around 25,000 children and young people experience some form of sexual abuse in Wales each year, yet only a small number of these cases are ever reported to police or social services.
The draft proposals focus on strengthening professional understanding of the long-term impact of child sexual abuse and increasing the visibility and availability of support services—particularly for adult survivors. The plan also calls for the creation of regional lived experience groups, including those tailored to young people in rural areas.
One key aim is to encourage adults who have experienced abuse to share their stories, helping to reduce stigma and improve services through lived experience insights.
The Welsh Government emphasized that child sexual abuse is a societal issue that requires collective effort. By involving survivors, professionals, and communities, the strategy hopes to build a safer future for children across Wales.
