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Domestic abuse contacts to our Helpline reach record high

We're reminding people to speak to our specially trained advisors if they are worried about a child.

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  • Last year we handled 7,825 child welfare contacts from adults where the main concern was domestic abuse.1
  • This is a 14% rise from 2023/242 and the highest annual total since we began recording domestic abuse as a main concern in 2021/22.3
  • Concerns about coercive and controlling behaviour contributed to the rise in contacts, seeing a 29% increase compared to the previous year.4

Our new figures reveal a 14% increase in child welfare contacts from adults concerned about domestic abuse.

Last year, we responded to 7,825 contacts from adults whose main concern was about children experiencing domestic abuse. This marked the highest annual total since records began in 2021/225, with an average of 21 adults reaching out to the Helpline with concerns about domestic abuse every day.

A third of child welfare contacts about domestic abuse ended in a referral to local agencies including police and children's social services.

Adults said they were worried about children suffering various forms of domestic abuse, including physical abuse, coercive control, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, and financial abuse.

Worried about a child?

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing [email protected]

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A grandparent who contacted the Helpline said6:

“I’ve been looking after my two grandchildren, aged 10 and 13, over the holidays. They’re due to return to their mum, my daughter, soon, but to be honest I really don’t want to, so long as their stepfather is still around. He’s been nothing but trouble since he came along, always screaming at the kids and threatening to hurt them. The boys are so scared when he’s there, they spend most of their time locked away in their rooms. I’m convinced there’s domestic abuse going on towards my daughter too, but she always denies it when I ask. I really don’t know what to do.”

Coercive and controlling behaviour

The rise in contacts has been driven in part by coercive and controlling behaviour, which saw a 29% increase compared to the previous year. Emotional domestic abuse also saw a significant rise, up 24% from the 2023/24 period.7

Coercive and controlling behaviour includes assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten a partner or ex-partner. Children whose parents or carers use or experience coercive and controlling behaviour within their own relationships can feel isolated and frightened and may have poor mental health as a result.8

More generally, domestic abuse can have a lasting, harmful effect on a child's wellbeing, with the repercussions extending well into the future.

The NSPCC Helpline has specially trained advisors who can speak to the public if they are worried about a child who may be experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse — whether that is physical violence or coercive and controlling behaviour.

Paddi Vint, Development and Quality Manager for the Domestic Abuse Practice Advisor Team at the NSPCC Helpline, said:

“The surge in contacts to our Helpline about domestic abuse is alarming, particularly given we have seen the highest annual total of reports around this topic since records began.

“Domestic abuse can have a dreadful impact on the whole family, with the effects being both immediate and lasting well into the future. It is vital everyone is aware of the signs of domestic abuse — including coercive control — which we know is becoming more prevalent in our communities. Greater collective vigilance should ensure the relevant authorities are involved more quickly when a child is at risk.

"Our Helpline is here to support anyone who has concerns about a child experiencing domestic abuse. Speaking out can help young victims get the support they need to address whatever may be happening at home.”

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References

  1. 1. Between April 2024 and March 2025 Helpline handled 7,825 child welfare contacts about domestic abuse.

  2. 2. In 2023/24 Helpline handled 6,838 child welfare contacts about domestic abuse

  3. 3. In the first two years of the domestic abuse main concern being used, 2021/22 and 2022/23 Helpline handled 4,599 and 4,412 (respectively)

  4. 4. Between April 2024 and March 2025 Helpline handled 2,633 child welfare contacts where Coercive/ controlling behaviour was mentioned. The year before (2023/24) Helpline handled 2,040 child welfare contacts where Coercive/ controlling behaviour was mentioned.

  5. 5. Prior to 2021/22 Helpline counted mentions of domestic abuse under other forms of abuse

  6. 6. Snapshots are based on real Helpline contacts but are not direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child and/or adult involved.

  7. 7. Between April 2024 and March 2025 Helpline handled 2,883 child welfare contacts where emotional domestic abuse was mentioned. The year before (2023/24) Helpline handled 2,331 child welfare contacts where emotional domestic abuse was mentioned.

  8. 8. For further information about the impact of coercive control on young people and children please see our relevant Helplines Insight Briefing.