Members of the cross-party group on preventing child sexual abuse are concerned about children subject to sexual abuse during lockdown—two particular concerns about where a child is locked down and with the perpetrator, as well as an increase in online abuse as children spend more time online and abusers exploit this opportunity. All of this is compounded by the fact that children on child protection plans for child sexual abuse are under-represented, so were more likely to be invisible before the pandemic.

Can the Welsh Government ensure that the public and professionals know that the services there to support children and young people are still open for business? Helplines remain open, specialist services can, where safe and appropriate, support children and young people virtually, and the sexual assault referral centres are open and continuing to take self- and professional referrals. And what more can the Welsh Government do to shine a light on this now and as we move into different stages of lockdown in the future?