THE NSPCC is dealing with an increase in contacts to its Helpline from adults across the UK with concerns about children who are experiencing domestic abuse.
In the first six months of 2024/25, the charity received 3,879 contacts relating to the issue, from across the UK, a 19% rise compared to the previous year.
A deeper dive into the domestic abuse data reveals mentions of coercive or controlling behaviour (1,279 contacts) and emotional domestic abuse (1,451) increased by a half, while post-separation domestic abuse more than doubled.
Children are also directly contacting the charity about this issue, with Childline delivering more than 500 counselling sessions on domestic abuse, across the UK, in the same six-month period.
As we move towards Christmas and into the winter months, the concern now is 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, the NSPCC is launching its annual Christmas campaign designed to remind young people that Childline is available throughout the festive season to support on all concerns, including domestic abuse.
*A boy aged 18, from Northern Ireland who contacted Childline over the Christmas period, said: “I want to talk about my dad. What he’s doing to me and my mum, we can’t take it anymore. I’ve got it on voice notes, all the horrible things he’s been saying.
“I know mum is scared of telling anyone, she doesn’t want it to get worse and besides, dad pays for everything. I think a shelter would help us, but then we’d have no money or anything, then what? What would the police even do if I told them? I need help knowing what to do.”
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 the charity’s 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.”
This Christmas, a child will contact Childline every 45 seconds on average. Help the charity to make sure Childline is ready for every question this festive season by visiting the NSPCC website. Just £4 could help a counsellor answer a call this Christmas.
The Childline service is here for children every day, even on Christmas Day. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk
Any adult can contact the NSPCC Helpline if they have a concern about a child on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk.
Follow NSPCC NI on: @nspccni (Twitter/X) @nspccnorthernireland (Facebook) @nspccni (Instagram).
*Quotes are based on real Childline and Helpline contacts but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child and/or adult involved.