The number of recorded sexual offences against children has risen by more than a third, new figures reveal.
A total of 31,238 allegations of sexual offences against children, including rape and assault, were made to forces in England and Wales in 2013/14, the NSPCC says.
That figure is up by 8,584 compared to the previous year.
The children's charity obtained the data through Freedom of Information requests.
Peter Wanless, the NSPCC's chief executive, said: "These figures are disturbing and clearly illustrate child sexual abuse is a continuing and widespread problem that needs urgent action.
"But we know this is still only a fraction of the true number of victims because some endure an agonising wait of many years before telling anyone – and others never reveal what has happened to them.
Peter Wanless, the NSPCC's chief executive, said the figures were 'disturbing'
"It's time to throw down the gauntlet to government which has to ensure all sexual abuse victims get specialist treatment to help them recover.
"By the end of this current Parliament there should be no children living in the shadow of abuse."
Police are recording 85 child sex crimes every day after a dramatic spike in reports of abuse.
The majority of the victims were aged between 12 and 16 but more than one in four - 8,282 - were younger than 11, the charity said. Of those, 2,895 are estimated to be aged five or under, including 94 babies.
More than three quarters of the reported abuse cases were against girls (24,457). Britain's largest force, the Metropolitan Police, recorded the highest number of sex crimes against children, with 3,523.
In 2012-13, the same research showed that a total of 22,654 were recorded by 41 police forces. All 43 forces in England and Wales responded in the latest study.
The NSPCC said that until now the total had largely remained steady and the 38% rise was the biggest increase in six years of requesting the figures. Since 2008/09, the number has increased by almost 50%.
The statistics are the latest in a slew of recent findings indicating a spike in the number of abuse cases being reported and follow a trend that started in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal in 2012.
Statistics reveal that more people are coming forward in the wake of investigations into deceased TV presenter Jimmy Savile
Analysts have suggested that publicity surrounding high profile cases has increased awareness and in turn given more victims the courage to come forward. Improved recording methods by police has also been cited as a possible factor.
A wide-ranging independent inquiry, headed up by New Zealand Justice Lowell Goddard, has been established by the Home Secretary Theresa May to probe allegations of historical child sex abuse and a Westminster paedophile ring.
Last month it emerged that police are investigating more than 1,400 prominent men, including politicians, celebrities and those linked to institutions, for historic child sex abuse.
The NSPCC will publish its annual report, How Safe Are Our Children?, today.
A government spokeswoman said that children must be protected from the "systemic and appalling cases of abuse" seen in places such as Rotherham, Rochdale and Oxford.
She added: "We have given child sexual abuse the status of a national threat so that it is prioritised by every police force, will shortly launch a new child sexual abuse taskforce and centre of expertise to improve local responses and we have provided £7 million funding to organisations that support victims."
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Rotherham child abuse scandal
Last month the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said they have seen an "unprecedented increase" in the number of reports of abuse in the wake of the Savile affair.
Chief Constable Simon Bailey, NPCC national lead for child protection, said: "My assessment of the scale of child abuse chimes with the figures released today by the NSPCC.
"As a result many, many, more victims have found the confidence to report abuse, knowing they will be treated with sensitivity and respect, that we will listen to them and that we will take their allegations seriously.
"Increased reporting means we are dealing with unprecedented number of investigations, however, I do feel that this is the tip of the iceberg.
"We have to balance the right of victims of previous abuse to justice with protecting children and the vulnerable now.
"We are working hard with our partners in education, health services, local government and the excellent support organisations to deal with this challenge, in which we all have an essential role to play. We would all recognise there is more we have to do."
Karen Froggatt, of charity Victim Support, said: "Children and young people who make the brave decision to speak up about this horrific crime deserve the very best level of support across all agencies.
"Sexual abuse can have a devastating and long lasting impact on people's lives."
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More Than 260 'Celebrity' Child Abuse Suspects Have Been Uncovered
Alistair McGowan So Nasty As Jimmy Savile, He Frightened His Playwright
Complaints About Jimmy Savile Sex Abuse Were Ignored By Hospital Staff
Savile Producers 'Set Up' Girl To Appear Alongside Jim'll Fix It Paedophile
Jimmy Savile's Flatmate 'Raped Teenager Who Answered Magazine Ad Hoping For Fame'
The Sex Abuse Reports That Provide Even More Damning Proof Of Authorities Failure To Act
Mass Of Allegations Against Police Officers In Rotherham Sex Probe