Hidden victims: What happens to the children of sex offenders?

Hidden victims: What happens to the children of sex offenders?

By Sky News

A senior police officer has told Sky News that children of sex offenders are "hidden victims" and called for services, especially mental health provision, to be improved.

Research shared with us shows around 300 families a month in England and Wales are affected by a parent being arrested for online child sex offences.

On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood speaks to our correspondent Katerina Vittozzi who has been investigating this issue for months after she was tipped off by a police contact.

We hear harrowing accounts from a mother and children who have experienced the trauma of it, and from Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for child protection.

Plus, Sally speaks to Sarah Burrows, who set up the charity Children Heard and Seen to support young people with a parent in prison.
Read more about Katerina’s investigation here. You can also watch her report here.

Annie Joyce – Senior podcast producer
Stephanie Oliver - North of England news editor
Philly Beaumont – Daily editor
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