Thousands of children hurt trying to stop arguments between adults at home says NSPCC

More than 300,000 children have been injured trying to stop arguments between adults at home a new NSPCC survey (1) reveals today (26 January 2009).

Children said their injuries were cuts, marks, bruises or pain that lasted until the next day. More than one thousand 11 to 16 year olds across Britain responded to an NSPCC commissioned survey about their experiences of domestic violence.

ChildLine, a service run by the NSPCC, counsels nearly one hundred children a month who are concerned about domestic violence. (2)  

NSPCC head of policy and public affairs, Diana Sutton said: "The UK Government still treats domestic violence as largely an adult problem, but children are victims too.

"Research (3) shows unemployment and financial worries can lead to domestic violence, and with more families in the UK now being hit by the recession we fear a rise in the number of children living in violent homes.

"Calls to ChildLine about domestic violence points to the scale of children's suffering. However, domestic violence is still a hidden problem and many victims, especially children, are too scared to speak out. 

"Domestic violence can devastate children's lives. Our survey estimates that hundreds of thousands of children are caught up in the violence. Sadly many will carry the emotional scars long after their physical injuries have healed. 

"Children who are victims or witnesses of parental conflict and domestic violence are known to be at higher risk of mental health problems, drink and drug abuse, problems at school, and difficulties with relationships. Without help, some will grow up to repeat the pattern of violence toward their own partners and children.

"Society needs to look at domestic violence from a child's point of view. We need to ensure that children who are victims of domestic violence are able to seek help, and when they do, there are services there to support them. It is imperative that Government addresses the severe shortage of therapy and refuges designed for children."

The NSPCC is calling on over 250,000 campaigners to petition the UK Government and ministers in devolved nations in Wales and Northern Ireland (4) to better support children suffering domestic violence by providing:

• More public services for children and families affected by domestic violence such as: therapy to help children overcome their experiences; more refuge places for children; access to counselling services at school, culturally sensitive services for Black and ethnic minority children; treatment programmers for domestic violence perpetrators.
• Training for professionals so they consider the impact on children when working with adults suffering domestic violence.
• Education about domestic violence as part of the curriculum so children can grow up to have respectful personal relationships and those suffering domestic violence can get help.

To support the NSPCC's Domestic Violence campaign visit www.nspcc.org.uk.

Ends

NSPCC media office on 0207 825 2904, out of hours mobile on 07976 206 625
 
Notes to editors:

Images: A jpg image which shows a child looking at a dolls house where there is a scene of domestic violence between the mother and father is available on request.

(1) GfK Custom Research interviewed 1075 eleven to sixteen year olds in Britain on behalf of the NSPCC about their experiences of domestic violence. Figures do not include Northern Ireland

There are 4,412,700 children aged eleven to sixteen year old in the UK and the figure of 308,889 is based on 7 per cent responding in the survey that they had been injured trying to stop an argument between adults at home.

(2) From 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 ChildLine counselled a total of 298 children for a main concern of domestic violence.  A further 885 children counselled mentioned domestic violence as an additional concern.  These are the UK wide figures.

(3) NSPCC - Child maltreatment in the family, Cawson et al, 2000.  Belwin and Carruthers, 1993.

(4) The domestic violence campaign covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Further detail about the campaign  relevant to each jurisdiction can be found at www.nspcc.org.uk/dvcampaign