A HELPLINE counselled 36 girls and 15 boys for sexual abuse last year, new figures reveal.

Statistics for the region show 212 children in the South West contacted ChildLine last year and 21 of these victims had been abused by a female.

The figures were collated by counsellors at the ChildLine South West based in Exeter, Devon.

NSPCC Swindon Services has already started counselling 25 children this year who have been subjected to sexual abuse.

Jeanette Chipping, children’s services manager at the centre in Victoria Road, said: “What we are trying to get out there is that it is not just adult males who abuse children – that is a myth that needs to be broken.

“In Swindon we offer quite a unique service where we work face to face with victims of abuse and we let them talk to us in a way they feel comfortable – some will use toys or puppets.

“The length of time we work with the children also varies – it can be anything from eight sessions to two years.

“We work with children aged between four and 18 and treat each case individually.

“We also hold family support sessions with the children and the non-abusing parent or guardian.

“Any child who wants to talk to us can call any time.”

A total of 2,142 young people across the UK told ChildLine they had been sexually abused by a female and of those callers counselled, 1,311 told ChildLine they had been abused by their own mother.

The overall proportion of children calling ChildLine about a female offender has risen from 11 per cent of sex abuse calls in 2004-2005 to 17 per cent in 2008-2009.

The statistics follow the case of nursery worker Vanessa George, who is awaiting sentencing for sexually abusing children in her care and taking and distributing pornographic photographs of them.

Childline president Esther Rantzen said: “This report reveals that ChildLine, by listening to the direct and authentic voices of abused children, has shattered common myths about sexual abuse.

“It does not only happen to girls, as many people believe. It happens to boys too.

“Mothers can sometimes sexually abuse their sons. And the report found that when girls are sexually abused, by far the most common perpetrator is not a stepfather, as many believe, but the biological father.”

In total, ChildLine counselled 12,268 children nationwide for sexual abuse last year alone.

Nearly a quarter of the children who call about sexual abuse say family relationship problems constitute the largest additional issue affecting them.

This was then followed by physical abuse and pregnancy for girls and for boys physical abuse and emotional abuse.

Young people can call NSPCC Swindon Services on 01793 431501 or ChildLine on 0800 1111.

Advice and information is also available on the website, www.childline.org.uk.