Domestic Abuse and the Impact on Children.

Under Section 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 children are identified as victims of domestic abuse where:

The behaviour of one person to another is domestic abuse and the child sees or hears, or experiences the effects of, the abuse, and is related to either person. A child is related if one of the persons is a parent or has parental responsibility, or the child and the person are relatives.

Children are victims also where, as 16- and 17-year-olds, they experience abuse from another, with whom they are involved in an intimate relationship.

Domestic abuse is common within our communities. The most recent crime survey data found that 2.3 million people aged 16–59 experienced domestic abuse in 2023/24, many of whom will have child(ren)1.

Domestic abuse can bring significant disruption to a child’s life. Social and support networks can fall away after repeatedly having to change phones or move school and home to access safety.

Experiencing domestic abuse in childhood or adolescence has been shown in some research papers to increase the likelihood of experiencing or perpetrating domestic abuse later in life2.

Patients in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) were twice as likely to have experienced domestic abuse compared with the general population, with almost 50% of patients reporting exposure to domestic abuse or child abuse.

In their 2020 annual report, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel found that domestic abuse was featured in 43% of incidents involving serious harm and 41% of fatal incidents.

• Gender balance: Ensure societal attitudes see everyone as equal, with no imbalances that support the perpetration of abuse.

• Behavioural change: Through a range of activities; setting standards, role modelling, and behaviour challenges, stimulate the change of behaviour in society that reduces the threat and likelihood of domestic abuse.

• Legal Framework: Section 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 formally recognizes children as victims if they see, hear, or experience the effects of abuse1.

• Policy Integration: Local safeguarding policies must reflect this recognition, ensuring children are not treated merely as witnesses but as individuals requiring protection and support.

• Statutory Guidance: The Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 guidance mandates collaboration between local authorities, health services, and police to protect children2.

• Safeguarding Partners: Establish clear roles for the three statutory partners and ensure shared accountability for outcomes.

• Information Sharing: Develop robust protocols for timely and secure data exchange across agencies.

• Interface with other initiatives: Develop responses that correspond or complement work being undertaken elsewhere, e.g., development of Family First Partnership Programme, and how domestic abuse is considered within Family Help, Family Group Decision Making and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams.

• Training: Equip frontline professionals with trauma-informed approaches to recognize and respond to abuse symptoms.

• Safe Environments: Schools and youth services should offer confidential spaces for children to disclose abuse.

• Therapeutic Support: Commission services such as play therapy, counselling, and recovery programs tailored to age and developmental stage.

• Improve public and professional awareness: Mount a campaign, highlighting the prevalence and the consequences of domestic abuse, especially the effect on children.

• NSPCC Guidance: Use indicators from the NSPCC to identify signs of domestic abuse, such as emotional withdrawal, aggression, or developmental delays34.

• Routine Inquiry: Encourage professionals to ask about domestic abuse during health visits, school assessments, and social work interactions.

• Referral Systems: Ensure clear pathways into services like CAMHS, IDVAs (Independent Domestic Violence Advisers), and local charities.

• Education Programs: Deliver school-based initiatives on healthy relationships and how to seek help.

• Support for Non-Abusive Parents: Provide wraparound services to help rebuild safe home environments.

• Youth Voice: Involve children in shaping services through panels and feedback forums.

• Needs Assessments: Use local data to map prevalence and identify service gaps.

• Outcome Tracking: Monitor improvements in child wellbeing, safety, and engagement.

• Continuous Improvement: Update strategies based on feedback and evolving national guidance.