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Contacts to NSPCC helpline about domestic abuse up by nearly 50%

In August alone, there were 818 contacts to the helpline from people concerned about children living with domestic abuse.

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Since the introduction of national lockdown measures, the number of contacts from people concerned about children living in homes with domestic abuse rose by 49%. 1

The latest figures show that between April and August 2020, more than 4,500 concerns were raised by members of the public, with 818 contacts in August alone.

These numbers are backed up by the experiences of our frontline staff who work with mothers and children facing domestic abuse at home.

Alongside other charities, we successfully campaigned for the government to amend the Domestic Abuse Bill and recognise the damaging impact that domestic abuse can have on children.

Through our Domestic Abuse Recovering Together (DART) service, we have supported more than 2,000 women and children across the UK over the past 10 years. From working with families in this way, we understand the importance of community-based support.

Currently, however, there is no legal requirement to provide specialist support services. Such services are crucial in helping children recover from domestic abuse and move forward with their lives. 

We are calling for

  • Local authority recovery services for children living with domestic abuse.
  • These services to be made a legal requirement, and to receive funding.
  • Agencies to sign up to deliver our community-based recovery service.

DART  

Services like our Domestic Abuse Recovering Together (DART) can help by:

  • increasing mothers’ self-esteem, confidence in parenting and affection towards their children.
  • reducing a child’s emotional and behavioural difficulties.
  • helping practitioners, mothers and children to work together.

Abuse can stop with a call to the NSPCC Helpline. Will you help us answer every call?

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You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing [email protected] or completing our report abuse online form.
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References

1. In the period prior to lockdown (6 January – 22 March 2020) the Helpline responded to a monthly average of 607 contacts about domestic abuse. In the period since lockdown restrictions were implemented (1 April – 31 August 2020) the monthly average has risen to 903.