But new research indicates there are too few therapeutic services available across the country to meet this need.

NSPCC researcher Debbie Allnock said, “Sexual abuse can have devastating consequences for a child, but there seems to be no explicit recognition of the needs of children and young people who are, or have recently been sexually abused.

“Yet experiences of sexual abuse are common among people with severe long-term behavioural, criminal and addiction problems.

“It takes bravery for a young person to tell someone about their sexual abuse and ask for help. But their suffering may only get noticed when they show significant signs of distress, anguish or damaging behaviours. They may then have a long wait for the support they desperately need.”

The researchers say they were only able to collect detailed data on a number of therapeutic services in Scotland and a more in-depth picture of therapeutic services in the country will be published in the next couple of months.