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Children’s charity NSPCC has urged the government and criminal justice agencies to take urgent action to clear a growing backlog of child sexual abuse cases, warning that long delays are leaving thousands of young victims “in limbo” and causing lasting harm.
New figures shared by the Ministry of Justice reveal that in 2024/25 there were 6,989 child sexual abuse and exploitation cases awaiting trial, being tried, or awaiting sentencing in the Crown Court — a 9% increase on the previous year.
On average, child sexual abuse cases in England and Wales are now taking 295 days – around ten months – from charge to completion. For cases involving the rape of a child aged 13 to 15, the average delay rises to around 18 months.
The NSPCC says the prolonged waits are having a “devastating” impact on victims’ mental health and recovery. Childline counsellors have reported hearing from young people who describe feeling trapped and powerless while their cases stall, with many experiencing worsening anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms.
The charity is calling for:
All open child sexual abuse and exploitation cases – particularly for under-16s – to be fast-tracked through the criminal courts; and
Dedicated therapeutic support for victims during the legal process.
Alex Davies-Jones MP, Minister for Victims, recently visited the NSPCC’s Letting the Future In (LTFI) service in Leeds, which provides specialist therapy to children and young people affected by sexual abuse. The charity says more sustained investment in similar services is vital to help survivors rebuild their lives.
An NSPCC spokesperson said:
“These figures show that far too many child sexual abuse cases are getting stuck in the system, leaving young victims waiting months – sometimes more than a year – to see justice.
No child should be left to suffer prolonged uncertainty or retraumatisation because of court backlogs. The government must act urgently to prioritise these cases and ensure every child has access to the support they need to recover.”
