Child sexual abuse
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has written about abuse she suffered as a child in her autobiography, Upfront And Personal.
She's revealed that her dad, Tommy Nolan, used to beat her, her sisters and her mum and he sexually abused her sister, Anne.
Coleen describes him as a 'monster' and said that drink turned him into a 'cruel man'.
News of child abuse is always shocking, and stories like this may scare you and raise questions for you. Here, we attempt to answer some of those questions, including how to spot the signs of sexual abuse and what you can do to help.
Child abuse in EastEnders
It's not just Coleen that's raised the issue of child abuse and paedophilia recently. EastEnders last year received a record number of complaints about the child abuse storyline involving Bianca's boyfriend, Tony, grooming and sexually abusing her step-daughter, Whitney. But it also had many comments of approval from people who had been moved by the storyline to get help for themselves.
EastEnders told us: 'From its beginning, EastEnders has told stories about contemporary issues. Although we have had complaints that we are tackling this subject, we have also had extremely positive feedback about the Tony and Whitney storyline. We've had strong support from the NSPCC, support groups and individuals who work in the field of sexual abuse.'
The NSPCC said, 'Programmes like EastEnders are increasingly helping to raise awareness of the hidden nature of sexual abuse. The NSPCC's work with the BBC on the EastEnders storyline is aimed at ensuring the portrayal of child abuse accurately reflects the damage it can do to the victim, their family and the wider community. This is vital in persuading people to take action to stop it and encouraging children to speak out.'
Sarah's Law
In Warwickshire, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Southampton and Stockton in Cleveland there is a trial of "Sarah's Law". What this trial means is that parents and carers are able to ask their local police force if a registered sex offender is living near them or has access to their child, for example: a new boyfriend, a sports coach or someone offering their services as a babysitter.
It has been supported by Sara Payne, whose daughter, Sarah, was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered by convicted sex offender Roy Whiting in 2000.
By Louise O'Connell
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