TWENTY-three child victims of child abuse were helped by a charity in Worcestershire and Herefordshire in just one year.

The figure from the NSPCC shows the number of children the charity referred to statutory agencies during 2004/05, and places the two counties midway in a league table.

Top of the table was the West Midlands, with 69 suspected victims, and bottom was Shropshire with 12. Neighbouring Gloucestershire had 17 cases.

The distressing figures have been revealed as the NSPCC launches its Be The FULL STOP campaign, calling for people to act on child cruelty in their communities. In 2004/05, staff at the West Midlands branch of ChildLine, which is now part of the NSPCC, recorded 137 children being counselled about emotional abuse. Many children also reported other forms of abuse.

Among the cases was that of seven-year-old Sarah, who said: "I get locked in the cupboard like the dog. I feel dead sad."

Another victim, 16-year-old Cari-Ann told ChildLine: "I fight with my dad every day.

"He loves my brothers, but not me. I don't know why. It makes me feel so horrid inside. Sometimes I cut my arms to make it feel better. I feel like it might be better if I wasn't here anymore - no one wants me around anyway."

Over the next 12 months, the charity is urging people to do something to stop child cruelty.

Local NSPCC director Peter Liver says: "Vast numbers of children's lives are blighted through feeling unloved. To deprive a child of love is abuse. Full Stop.

"It doesn't have to be like this. All children should be loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. They have a right to grow up feeling loved - without anger and hatred aimed at them. The emotional scars can last a lifetime.

"Everyone can be part of the human barrier against child abuse. People sometimes feel abuse is too big a problem for them to make a difference. Be The Full Stop is about showing people that everything they do - however small - adds up to ending cruelty to children. Every action counts."

To stop children and young people suffering abuse, the NSPCC is calling on the Government to fund helplines and online or text based counselling that provide them with 24-hour access to confidential advice and support.

This would mean a counsellor is always there when a child calls and that more and better services are provided to vulnerable groups such as disabled children.

People can join the campaign by phoning 08000 121211 or visiting www. bethefullstop.com ABUSE CASES Avon and Somerset 38; Cornwall 16; Derbyshire 21; Devon 39; Dorset 21; Gloucestershire 17; Hereford and Worcs 23; Leicestershire 33; Lincolnshire 20; Northamtonshire 28; Nottinghamshire 39; Shropshire 12; Staffordshire 30; Coventry and Warks 18; West Midlands 68; Wiltshire and Swindon 18.