THE number of children in Scotland being monitored by social services because of sexual abuse has dropped by one third.

THE number of children in Scotland being monitored by social services because of sexual abuse has dropped by one third.

Statistics, released by the Scottish Government yesterday, also show an overall decrease in the number of children thought to be at risk from all kinds of neglect and physical harm. They point out that more members of the public, such as neighbours and teachers, are contacting social services with concerns over children's welfare.

A total of 12,382 referrals of this kind were made this year, a rise of 4%.

However, fewer children are found to be in need of social services care following initial investigation with just 35% of concerns raised going to the next stage of the child protection process, down from 38% the year before.

In total, 2793 young people were placed in the child protection register following intervention by social services teams in 2007/08 compared to 3133 in 2006/07.

Figures also show that more children are suffering from emotional abuse (up 12%), with drops in sexual abuse (down 30%), physical neglect (down 17%) and physical injury (down 8%).

Around a quarter of children were removed from the child protection register because of an improved situation at home.

Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, said: "Every child in Scotland deserves to be safe and secure as they grow up and ensuring fast and effective protection is available to every young person at risk of neglect or abuse is a key priority for this government."

Conservative MSP Liz Smith, shadow minister for children, schools and skills, said: "Sadly, these figures reflect the symptoms of our broken society. Particularly harrowing is the number of child protection cases which have been referred despite the child being as yet unborn."