'Frightening' child abuse statistics for Mid & East Antrim are revealed

AN Ulster Unionist Party led Notice of Motion which called for child safeguarding measures in the borough was carried at last week's full meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Barr and seconded by Cllr Bethany Ferris.

Cllr Barr addressed the chamber, reading aloud details of the Motion: "From the outset I must admit that this is the most uncomfortable and upsetting Notice of Motion to be brought before this council, as it involves the most precious and vulnerable in our borough - our children.

"I begin with shocking and frightening statistics.

"Within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the first quarter of 2025, the number of children on the Child Protection Register under the following category of abuse are: eight due to neglect, physical and sexual abuse; 148 due to neglect and physical abuse; 11 due to physical and sexual abuse; 142 due to neglect; 174 due to solely physical abuse; 50 to solely sexual abuse; 22 due to emotional abuse.

"That's 555 children within the Trust area which covers Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

"Another frightening and shocking set of statistics are from the PSNI regarding sex offenders within the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

"146 managed and convicted sexual offenders living within the borough. 108 offenders living within the borough who have a qualified conviction against children.

"Disturbingly, in most of these cases, these children have been abused by those who should have been protecting and caring for them.

"Examples of child abuse are physical abuse: inflicting physical harm on the child through actions such as hitting, shaking or burning.

"Emotional abuse: damaging a a child's self-esteem or emotional well-being through verbal abuse, humiliation or isolation.

"Sexual abuse: involving a child in sexual activities through coercion or manipulation; and neglect: not providing for a child's basic needs, meaning food, shelter, medical care and education.

"As a dad, I cannot imagine the horrors of these poor children suffer under these examples of abuse.

"Therefore, it is imperative that we, as a council, do our utmost to protect our children. Child protection involves safe-guarding children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence.

"It encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at preventing harm, ensuring that children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.

"This includes legal measures, social services and community based initiatives designed to support and protect children.

"Such protection requires a collective effort of families, communities and governments. Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is not just a moral obligation but a fundamental right that every child deserves.

"As a council we must have cognisance of the preventative measures which can be implemented to protect children and these are education and awareness; educating council staff and councillors about how to recognise and report child abuse.

"Support systems; ensuring that council premises are safe places for children to go to without fear of abuse.

"Community involvement; communities should foster a culture of vigilance and support, where neighbours look out for each other and report any concerns to the authorities.

"Legal frameworks; strong laws and regulations must be in place within Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to protect children and ensure perpetrators of this abuse are reported to the relevant authorities.

"In conclusion, protecting children is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment of everyone in society by staying informed, vigilant and proactive to create a safer world for our children to grow and thrive.

"Remember, every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood and it is up to us to ensure that that right is upheld.

"Therefore, we call on this council to engage with the relevant statutory and voluntary bodies to promote and educate council staff, councillors and residents on child protection."

Cllr Ferris said: "I thank my colleague Cllr Barr for bringing forward this Motion which I do wholeheartedly second because this is more about the numbers and it's more than the numbers that you've heard about this evening.

"They're the voices of our borough's children, many who are suffering in silence. Children who deserve to be loved, protected and cared for.

"But, instead, are living in fear, facing trauma and abuse, which will have an everlasting effect across their lives.

"We cannot and we must not turn a blind eye. Safeguarding is a collective responsibility, not just for health-care professionals, social services or our schools. It extends to every single one of us in this chamber.

"It isn't about politics, it's about our duty to serve our community and we have an obligation to those who cannot speak up for themselves.

"By supporting this Motion, we are committing to our children of the borough that they matter; that their safety matters and that their future matters.

"So, let this Motion bring us together in the spirit of stronger, more protective framework for our children as nothing is more important than their well-being.

"Once again, I would like to thank my colleague Cllr Barr for bringing forward this Motion and I would urge each member to give it the due care and attention it deserves by supporting it as well."

Alliance Cllr Maeve Donnnelly said: "I would like to say that child protection goes hand in hand with trauma informed practice and it highlights the need for the trauma training for members so that they're able to help families that are dealing with abuse.

"I was glad to hear Cllr Ferris name trauma because we have an issue with trauma from our background and what we're dealing with at the minute is evidence that it's needed."

Sinn Féin Cllr Archie Rae thanked the members for bringing the Motion and stated: "What I would like to say is, as a member of a local club, we always have to go through child protection every year and it might be an idea for members of the council to do something similar.

"It's just done through the PSNI, these background checks are done and it just means that they're child protected.

"It's a small cost but I think it's very much worth it."