NSPCC voices fears about domestic abuse

LEADING children’s charity the NSPCC has revealed it’s receiving more than 30 contacts a day, on average, from adults across the UK worried about children living with domestic abuse since the start of the crisis.

The latest figures are a 53% jump compared to before the pandemic and reveal that in the nine months since the beginning of April there were 8,371 contacts to its helpline, with a record 1,053 in November alone.

With everyone spending more time at home because of the latest lockdown, and the majority of school pupils being taught virtually, the charity is concerned that the risk of young people suffering the toxic consequences of domestic abuse has been heightened.

The monthly average number of referrals being made to external agencies in Wales from the adult NSPCC helpline post lockdown (AprDec 2020) is 54% higher than pre-lockdown (JanMarch 2020).

Concerned neighbours have increasingly reported hearing non-stop arguing and kids crying to the charity’s confidential helpline.

In Wales, the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015, should already be providing all victims with equal access to support.

Left unaddressed this abuse can have profound and long-term on children’s and mental that can last

However, services for child victims across Wales remain patchy and underfunded.

Children can contact Childline every day of the week on 0800 11 11 from 9am to 3.30am.

Or they can get in touch via childline.org. uk where 1-2-1 chats can be requested 9am – 10.30pm. impacts physical wellbeing into adulthood.