REPORTS to a specialist helpline over the emotional abuse of children have soared by 427 per cent in Scotland in seven years, the NSPCC has revealed.

In its annual child protection report, which is out today, the charity says it is handling more calls than ever from members of the public who are worried that youngsters are suffering psychological torment.

Just 83 calls were received on this issue in 2009-10, compared with 438 in the last 12 months.

Reports include cases of parents telling their children they hate them or wish they were dead, threats of extreme violence and instances where children are blamed for unemployment, financial problems and other issues outwith their control.

The “significant” rise is mirrored in results for the UK as a whole, which shows a rise from 3341 to 10,009 over the same period.

The charity now wants the Westminster and Holyrood governments to commission nationwide research into the prevalence of child abuse and neglect.

Joanna Barrett, acting head of service at NSPCC Scotland, said: “Hearing reports from our helpline about parents or carers who are consistently verbally assaulting, bullying, isolating or humiliating their children is devastating.

“The huge increase in people recognising and reporting emotional abuse to our helpline indicates people are willing to take action, but the disturbing truth is that the UK has no idea how many other children are suffering from emotional abuse or in fact, any type of abuse.

“We urgently need the Scottish Government, in conjunction with the UK Government, to step in now, before another eight years go by, and commission a study that gives us the clearest possible picture of the extent of child abuse and neglect in the UK.”

According to the Scottish Government definition, emotional abuse is “persistent emotional neglect or ill treatment that has severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development”.

Last year 335 of the 438 calls made in Scotland on the issue were referred to police or children’s services.

Helpline workers said domestic violence, alcohol or substance abuse and mental health issues are “common themes” raised by callers concerned that a child was being emotionally abused.

A snapshot of one call said: “The parents drink excessively around the children and that there are issues of domestic abuse, which I also believe that the children witness. One of the children has refused to go home before when staying with me and says that the children hide in their rooms when the parents argue. They appear to be struggling sleeping and worry about being at home. I don’t know what can be done as they are not physically abusing the children.”