Sex crimes in Surrey by adults in a position of trust have more than tripled in the past year.
Figures released today show there were 17 incidents between June 2016 to June 2017 – up from 5 the previous year.
The government has announced plans to extend legislation which covers adults working with young people to include sports coaches – but the NSPCC wants it to go further so the law applies to religious leaders, arts clubs and other outdoor groups.
The current loophole means adults with regular and intense contact with children in extra-curricular activities are able to groom them from a young age, and abuse that trusting relationship to have sexual contact as soon as the child turns 16.
This was what happened to Lee* who was befriended by youth leader, Adam* at his church group when he was 15. Adam began texting Lee and asking to spend time together outside of the group.
Lee said: ‘Adam started by sitting closer to me on the sofa, trailing his finger on to mine. Things which I thought were weird but not big enough to react to.’
Things escalated to kissing and sexual contact when Lee turned 16.
He added: ‘I was so confused but knew what he was doing was wrong. I wanted it to stop but part of me was afraid to speak out because I didn’t want to get him in trouble.’
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: “It’s hard to believe that the law protects 16- and 17-year-old children from being preyed upon in the classroom, but not on the sports pitch or on the stage.
“We know that some adult youth workers spend years grooming young people and then, as soon as their 16th birthday comes around, they target them for sex.
“Extending Position of Trust laws to sports coaches is an important step in the right direction which will help protect more children from this kind of abuse. But to stop there would be a missed opportunity. Government must close this loophole to protect children from other adults who use their authority to exploit them.”