An average of four sex offences a day are committed against children in Kent, according to the latest figures.

The number of victims rose to 1,571 in 2015/16 and the crimes against them included rape, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation.

Of that figure 585 offences were recorded against children aged 10 and under, and 185 against children four and under, some of whom were too young to attend primary school.

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It amounts to an 18% increase on the 1,337 offences recorded by police in Kent in 2014/15.

The figures were obtained by children’s charity the NSPCC, which says much of the increase could be down to the fact online grooming is becoming a “major problem”, with predators reaching multiple victims.

To cope with the numbers of children coming forward the NSPCC is calling for specialist training for police investigating online child abuse, effective rehabilitation for child sex offenders, and investment in early intervention services to help youngster recover.

While the latest figures are shocking, there are concerns the total number of sex offences committed against children could be a lot higher due to youngsters not coming forward because they are frightened, embarrassed, or do not realise they have been abused.

Through its Speak Out. Stay Safe programme, the NSPCC is teaching a generation of children about the signs of abuse and who they can turn to for help and support.

Last year NSPCC volunteers delivered the service to 125 schools in Kent and spoke to 10,514 children.

Sarah Walker, schools area co-ordinator for Kent, said: “This steep rise lays bare just how extensive this appalling crime against children has become, claiming multiple victims every hour, some of whom are yet to say their first word.

“Sexual abuse can shatter a child’s life and leave them feeling ashamed, depressed, or even suicidal.

“Now, more than ever, victims need help as soon as possible to help them recover from their ordeals and go on to lead full and happy lives.

“Government must commit funds to early intervention that better help these children who through no fault of their own are enduring so much pain.”

"My dad touched me inappropriately for the first time when I was four and when I was five he started to rape me" - Kent child abuse victim

The NSPCC says another reason for the rise in figures is victims are feeling more confident about disclosing abuse following high-profile cases and police forces have improved their recording methods.

The NSPCC sent the 43 police forces across England and Wales a Freedom of Information request asking the number of reported sexual offences against under-18s.

Not all responded, but it found 55,507 cases were reported across UK (49,330 in England and Wales in 2015/16, a 19% increase 2014/15.

This amounts to an average of 6.3 offences an hour across the UK.

The NSPCC says the central focus of every sentence for a convicted child sex offender needs to be a programme that has been proven to effectively change behaviour and stop abuse and reoffending.

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CASE STUDY

"My dad touched me inappropriately for the first time when I was four and when I was five he started to rape me," says Kent resident Michaela*.

"I didn’t know it was wrong at the time. I didn’t like it but he said: 'If you tell anyone then the police will take you away for being bad'.

"I was also witnessing my dad being violent towards my mum and there were often a lot of fights that got out of hand.

"One time he was violent to her and my granddad came in while she was lying on the floor and he punched my dad.

"Other times the neighbours would scoop us up and take us to their houses to get us away from the violence."

Now aged 21, she started to call ChildLine when she was eight.

"Because of everything that was happening, I was very angry and had a temper so I talked to them about that and the violence at home but I didn’t talk to them about the sexual abuse at that time as I didn’t know that it was wrong," she said.

"Later on I opened up to them about the sexual abuse and the fact that I was self-harming.

"The police were able to use the notes from my contacts to Childline and my dad was convicted.

"ChildLine gave me a voice and honestly saved my life.

"On my darkest days they were there and even on my lighter days they were eager to hear when things were going well too.

"They were friends to me at my lowest time."

* The victim’s name has been changed to protect her identity.