1m kids in UK 'suffer abuse'

London, Feb 15 (ANI): Almost a million children in UK have suffered abuse or neglect, a survey has revealed.

According to the poll of 2,200-plus children, one in five youngsters aged 11 to 17 have been beaten up, hit with weapons, raped or seriously neglected.

"Physical violence, neglect and forced sex are harming the lives of hundreds of thousands of children," the Daily Express quoted Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of children's charity NSPCC, as saying.

"Successive governments have taken steps to improve protection but local authorities are under strain providing protection plans for only a small proportion of cases," Flanagan added.

The study found that 18.6 per cent had been attacked by an adult, sexually abused or severely neglected.

Only physical abuse which resulted in an injury, such as bruising or a broken bone, or which involved a weapon, was included. (ANI)