The NSPCC has revealed that concerns about children experiencing domestic abuse have risen by a fifth.
The national children’s charity saw a surge in people contacting its Helpline with concerns about children experiencing domestic abuse, fielding almost 4,000 concerns of this nature between April and September 2024.
This represents a 19% increase in concerns about the issue compared to the same six-month period last year.
Adults contacting the NSPCC Helpline with concerns about children experiencing domestic abuse repeatedly spoke about issues such as coercive or controlling behaviour, emotional abuse and post-separation domestic abuse.
Concerns relating to coercive or controlling behaviour and emotional abuse had increased by a half, while mentions of post-separation domestic abuse had more than doubled.
‘Upward trend’ of domestic abuse could intensify over Christmas
As well as concerned adults, the NSPCC is also receiving contacts from children about domestic abuse, with Childline delivering over 500 counselling sessions about the issue during the same period.
The charity is concerned that this “upward trend” could continue over Christmas and New Year with “with longer, darker nights seeing children spending more time at home and having several weeks away from school over the festive period.”
In response, the charity has launched its annual Christmas campaign to remind children and young people that its confidential helpline, Childline, is available to help them with any concerns or issues throughout the festive season.
They say that, sadly, thousands of children will need free and confidential help for a range of worries and issues, from how to stay safe from abuse to feeling alone.
Childline’s Director, Shaun Friel, said:
“Christmas should be a time of wonder and excitement for children but sadly for some it can be a moment in the year when problems at home come to a head, triggering instances of issues like domestic abuse.
“Contacts to the NSPCC Helpline about domestic abuse have been on an upward trend this year and the worry now is this will continue over Christmas and into 2025.
“We are committed to ensuring no child is left to suffer in silence in December or any other time of the year, with our Childline service being open throughout the festive period providing free, confidential advice and support.”
Support to recover from domestic abuse
The NSPCC’s Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART) programme helps children who have experienced domestic abuse to recover from the effects.
The service brings mothers and their children together in group sessions to discuss experiences, strengthen their relationships and explore strategies for coping with and recovering from the trauma of domestic abuse.
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child or young person is reminded that they can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or completing their online form.
Training to support and protect children
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.
They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services.
Their courses include Safeguarding Children and Understanding Domestic Abuse.
A trainer from FRT says:
“Sadly, for many children and young people, home is not the safe and happy place it should be, and those who are supposed to love and care for them most in the world can instead subject them to serious harm.
“It’s really important that anyone living with domestic abuse receives help and support, and that any children involved in these situations are protected and helped to move forward from their experiences.”
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.