Sexual offences against children recorded by Kent Police have seen a 'staggering' 69 per cent increase in one year.
The NSPCC found reports of sexual child abuse rose from 802 in 2012/13 to 1,356 in 2013/14.
Last year, 122 calls to the NSPCC from Kent residents about sexual abuse were so serious that they were referred on immediately to the police or children’s services.
The figures were revealed last Wednesday (June 17) as part of the charity's 'How safe are our children?' report, using the most up-to-date data available.
West Wickham child abuse campaigner and survivor Christine Tuck called the figures the 'tip of the iceberg'.
Ms Tuck on Sky News
The 45-year-old added: "It’s staggering, these figures.
"I had already known it was bad, but nowhere near this bad.
"You are going to get a bomb that goes off.
"It’s going to be horrific."
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless 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.
"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."
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It is not clear why the number of recorded offences has risen.
Ms Tuck said it may be because of the Jimmy Saville effect, with victims now trusting their claims to be taken seriously.
However, children are still struggling to speak out.
She said: "When you are a child you do not understand that what you are going through is abuse, because that just becomes your normal.
"You know that it’s not right but it becomes a secret, a shame.
"The abuser has a hold over you - it’s all about power control."
Ms Tuck is calling for the government to introduce a child abuse minister, to provide support for children and adult survivors.
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