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We’ve seen a surge in concerns about children experiencing domestic abuse

In response, we’re launching our annual Christmas campaign to remind young people Childline is available throughout the festive season.

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  • The NSPCC Helpline fielded almost 4,000 contacts about concerns for children experiencing domestic abuse between April 2024 and September 2024.
  • There has been a 19% increase about the issue compared to the same period last year.
  • Coercive or controlling behaviour, emotional domestic abuse and post-separation domestic abuse were concerns repeatedly raised in contacts the adult helpline received about domestic abuse.
  • Childline is reminding all children that the service is ready to support them if they have concerns about domestic abuse, or any other issues, this festive season.

We are dealing with an increase in contacts to our Helpline from adults with concerns about children who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Between April and September 2024, we received 3,879 contacts relating to the issue, a 19% rise compared to the previous year.

A deeper dive into the domestic abuse data reveals mentions of coercive or controlling behaviour and emotional domestic abuse increased by a half, while post-separation domestic abuse more than doubled.1

Childline and the launch of our Christmas campaign

Children are also directly contacting us about this issue, with Childline delivering over 500 counselling sessions on domestic abuse in the same six-month period.2 3

As we move towards Christmas, we're concerned that these numbers will continue to rise with longer, darker nights seeing children spending more time at home and having several weeks away from school over the festive period.

In response, we're launching our annual Christmas campaign designed to remind young people that Childline is available throughout the festive season to support on all concerns, including domestic abuse.

Over the Christmas period, a 14-year-old girl told Childline:

“My parents have always argued with each other, but over Christmas it’s got physical. I can hear it all going on in the next room, shouting, swearing, telling each other to leave. Then I see the bruises afterwards. It makes me so scared I can’t sleep.”

Sadly, there will be thousands of children this Christmas across the UK in search of free and confidential help for a range of worries and concerns. These include how to stay safe from abuse and about feeling completely alone. This Christmas, Childline is ready for every call and contact throughout the festive period.

In our Christmas TV advert, a young girl who has been neglected during the festive period contacts Childline for help. She speaks to a trained counsellor who listens to what is happening to her and provides support.

Shaun Friel, Childline director, 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.”

Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together

Our Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART) programme supports children to recover from the adverse effects of domestic abuse.

The service brings together mothers and children in group sessions to discuss their experiences, strengthen their relationships, and explore strategies for coping with and recovering from the trauma of domestic abuse.

Worried about a child?

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk or completing our report abuse online form.

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References

  1. 1. Between April 2024 and September 2024, the Helpline handled 3,879 child welfare contacts about domestic abuse. This was an increase of 19% when compared to the same period last year (3,258). Common issues mentioned in these contacts in April 2024 to September 2024 included coercive/controlling behaviour (1,279 compared to 849 in April 2023 to September 2023), emotional domestic abuse (1,451 compared to 972 in April 2023 to September 2023), and domestic abuse occurring after separation/divorce (999 compared to 399 in April 2023 to September 2023).

  2. 2. Between April 2024 and September 2024, Childline delivered 529 counselling sessions about domestic abuse.

  3. 3. As well as a potential rise in concerns on this topic, increases in contacts to the Helpline on domestic abuse could also be due to a number of factors, including successful media coverage about the Helpline, increased service capacity and improvements to data collection at Helpline.