Increase in child-linked domestic abuse calls

The number of people contacting a charity helpline to raise the alarm about children caught up in domestic abuse has risen sharply.

In 2015-16, the NSPCC received 194 contacts from people in Scotland worried about a child living in a dangerous home.

This resulted in 171 referrals to external agencies such as police and the social services.

The figures compare with 98 contacts in 2012-13, which led to 80 referrals.

Across the UK, ten adults a day are now getting in touch with the charity to raise concerns about the welfare of children.

Last year, its helpline received 3,883 contacts, up 75 per cent on the 2,223 recorded in 2011-12. Of those, 83 per cent led to referrals to other agencies.

The figures were revealed as the NSPCC launches a TV advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of what a child can achieve when freed from domestic abuse.

Recent police figures have also shown a rise in recorded incidents of domestic abuse. The Scottish force recorded 59,882 incidents in 2014-15, up from 58,439 the previous year.

Matt for de, national head of service for NSPCC Scotland, said home should be a place where children feel “safe and loved”.