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Plan for safety

Children and domestic abuse

Domestic abuse encompasses controlling, threatening, or violent behaviours in relationships, significantly impacting both adults and children. Children exposed to such environments face serious emotional and physical consequences, with signs including aggression, anxiety and academic difficulties.

Domestic abuse involves a range of controlling, threatening, or violent behaviours that occur in various relationships and can persist even after those relationships end.
It significantly affects both adults and children, with children experiencing such environments facing serious emotional and physical consequences. This constitutes a form of child abuse. The abuse can manifest in many forms, including physical, emotional, and psychological, occurring through direct interactions or indirectly through digital channels.

Recognising signs of domestic abuse in children

Identifying domestic abuse can be challenging, as abusers often behave differently when others are around. Children and young people may feel frightened and confused, keeping the abuse to themselves.

Indicators include:

  • Displays of aggression or engaging in bullying.
  • Anti-social behaviours such as vandalism.
  • Signs of anxiety, depression, or thoughts of suicide.
  • Attention-seeking behaviours.
  • Bed-wetting, experiencing nightmares, or suffering from insomnia.
  • Frequent illnesses like colds, headaches, and mouth ulcers.
  • Substance use including drugs or alcohol.
  • Development of eating disorders.
  • Academic difficulties or learning disruptions.
  • Frequent tantrums.
  • Social withdrawal.

Responding to a child revealing abuse

When a child confides in you about experiencing domestic abuse, it's vital to handle the situation with sensitivity:

Listen attentively to their account

Reassure them that they've done the right thing by speaking up

Affirm that the abuse is not their fault

Assure them that you take their disclosure seriously

Avoid confronting the alleged abuser directly

Explain the steps you will take next

Promptly report the details of the disclosure to the appropriate authorities

Impacts of domestic abuse

Living in an environment where domestic abuse occurs can profoundly affect a child’s mental and physical health, as well as their behaviour. These impacts can persist even after the abusive relationship ends, with post-separation abuse and coercive control continuing to affect the child’s life. The effects may extend into adulthood.

Prioritising safety and stability

It's crucial to address and halt the abuse, ensuring that children have a secure and supportive environment in which to grow. Providing stability and safety helps mitigate the long-term impacts of domestic abuse and supports healthier development.

Further information is available from Childline