Sexual offences against children in Scotland have risen by almost a third in the past five years, figures show.
Police Scotland data requested by children’s charity NSPCC show there were 5311 recorded offences in 2019-20 – an average of 15 a day and up 30 per cent in the five years since 2014-15.
This include incidents of rape, online grooming and sexual assault.
The most recent figures show girls were five times as likely to be victims.
A total of 1588 offences were against children under 13, about 45 per cent of crimes where age was recorded.
NSPCC Scotland’s Matt Forde said: “Every day,children in Scotland are being sexually abused and having to live with the devastating impacts of this. Urgent action is needed to prevent abuse and ensure children are supported to recover when it is disclosed.
“We have seen numerous plans and initiatives launched to deal with various aspects of abuse, including child sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviour.
“We believe it’s crucial to have a joined-up approach when tackling this crime and want to see a strategy which puts the experiences and needs of children at its heart.”
NSPCC Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to produce a strategy to combat child sexual abuse. It said the availability of specialist therapeutic sexual abuse services is “patchy and inconsistent”.
It believes health, policing, social work, therapeutic and other services should be provided to children in one location.
The Scottish Government said: “Child sexual abuse requires a co-ordinated, multi-agency response and we are revising Scotland’s National Child Protection Guidance.”
