Press Releases

30 July 2008

More than four thousand distressed children called ChildLine last year after fighting with their parents. The findings come in a new report published by the NSPCC today Wednesday 30 July.

The true figure is likely to be higher as ChildLine is only able to answer two in three of the calls it receives. 

Girls are four times as likely as boys to call the helpline about arguments with their parents, with 60 girls phoning in for help every week. Most of the callers were teenagers and one in five said they had been hit during a row.
 
Family problems is one of the main concerns children talk to ChildLine about. 20,586 children called about family problems such as arguments at home, worries over a divorce or conflict with siblings. A further 22,704 children called about another issue but also mentioned family relationship problems as an additional problem.

Children witnessing or involved in fights with their family said it made them feel confused, scared and distressed.
 
One 15 year old girl told ChildLine: "I don't get on with my mum and dad.  My dad hits me.  I told them I'd go to social services and they said if I did that I would be kicked out."
 
NSPCC head of child protection awareness, Chris Cloke said: "Family fights cause children a lot of pain and distress and make them feel isolated.

"Children in this situation should try and speak to their parents or someone in their family about how they feel. This may help parents take notice of how badly the child is being affected and the need to do something about the situation.

"Families who are fighting can often benefit from family support services. The NSPCC is encouraging parents to get help before problems escalate."

 
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Notes to editors
These findings are based on what children and young people told ChildLine about family relationships between April 2006 and March 2007.
 
A full copy of the report is available from: NSPCC Inform
 
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. The NSPCC runs 180 projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.
 
ChildLine on 0800 1111 is the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young.