One victim in Stoke-on-Trent was sexually abused by her grandad a number of times from the age of nine
Twisted paedophiles are targeting babies under the age of one as child abuse continues to soar across Stoke-on-Trent and the rest of Staffordshire.
Latest figures show Staffordshire Police recorded 1,594 child sex offences in the county last year, up from 1,176 offences recorded by the force five years ago - an alarming increase of 36%.
They reflect the national picture which saw a total of 73,518 offences recorded, including rape, online grooming and sexual assault against children between 2019 and 2020.
That equates to more than 200 offences, on average, every day last year.
Among the offences were 12,374 sex crimes recorded against children below the age of 10, while 449 offences were recorded against babies yet to reach their first birthday.
One victim in Stoke-on-Trent was sexually abused by her grandad a number of times from the age of nine.
By the time she was 12, she was so traumatised that she decided to disclose to a teacher after contacting Childline.
She said: “Speaking to Childline really helped me build up the courage. It’s constantly in your mind when you’ve been abused – and it can be difficult to face the fact that it is abuse, it isn’t right, and it never will be right.
“The counsellor changed my perspective and helped me do something I’d wanted to do for two years. She made me realise I didn’t have to let this destroy me. Looking back, I’d tell my 12-year-old self that you can talk to people – they will believe you.” read full story here...