CHILDREN and young people who have suffered sexual or domestic abuse risk not getting the help they need due to a gap in support from local authorities, a charity has warned.

The NSPCC said access to specialist support services for those affected is “simply not available for many children across England and Wales.”

Of the local authorities which responded to NSPCC freedom of information requests, less than one-quarter said they provide dedicated support for children and young people in the form of an independent and specially trained adviser.