Wales has become the first nation in the UK to launch a decade-long strategy aimed at preventing and responding to child sexual abuse, marking a significant step forward in protecting children and supporting survivors.

The Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Child Sexual Abuse 2026–2036, unveiled by the Welsh Government today comes with a three-year delivery plan to turn ambition into action.

The strategy sets out a vision for all children in Wales to live free from sexual abuse and ensures that anyone affected can access protection and support throughout their lifetime. It was co-produced with adult survivors, alongside organisations including the NSPCC, Barnardo’s, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, ensuring the voices of those with lived experience helped shape the plan.

It is estimated that 25,000 children and young people in Wales are sexually abused each year.

The impacts can be long-lasting, affecting health, confidence, relationships, education, and future opportunities, and the wider consequences are felt across families and communities.

The Welsh Government says the strategy takes a whole-system approach, focused on four key objectives: preventing abuse through education and awareness, protecting children when concerns arise, providing timely support for children and families, and supporting adult survivors at any stage.

Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden said: “Child sexual abuse is abhorrent. Its impact can be life-altering, affecting a person long into adulthood. This strategy represents our unwavering commitment to tackling this issue head-on, and a whole-system approach where everyone works together towards the same goal is central to achieving our objectives.

“I am deeply grateful to the victim-survivors with lived experience who have courageously helped shape this work as well as organisations who provide vital support. These voices will continue to guide us as we deliver on our ambitions.”

The strategy recognises that abuse can happen in multiple contexts, both online and offline, within families, institutions, peer groups, and communities. It sets out clear roles and responsibilities, promotes timely information sharing, and establishes advisory groups for children, young people, and adult survivors to ensure lived experience continues to guide delivery over the next ten years.

The accompanying three-year delivery plan includes national awareness campaigns, improved training for professionals, and strengthened support services for those affected.

Cecile Gwilym, policy and public affairs manager for NSPCC Cymru, welcomed the strategy, saying: “Thousands of children and young people in Wales are sexually abused on and offline every year. Its impact on victims can last a lifetime, affecting psychological and physical well-being and family relationships. But child sexual abuse can be prevented, and this strategy is an extremely important step to addressing this devastating crime. It sets out everybody’s responsibilities in tackling it across prevention, protection and support.”

Gwilym added that the strategy must lead to increased awareness so that parents, professionals, and communities can recognise when something is wrong and act confidently. She also stressed the importance of sustained commitment from government and adequate funding to ensure the strategy delivers real change on the ground.

The Welsh Government says the strategy and delivery plan together represent a bold and long-term commitment to creating a safer Wales, where children are protected and survivors are supported to recover from abuse.