New research shows two thirds of children exposed to domestic abuse have been directly harmed - but only half are known to Children's Social Care
A new study from the national charity Caada has found that two thirds of children exposed to domestic abuse had experienced direct child abuse, in addition to witnessing the abuse of a parent. Despite this, only half (54%) of the children exposed to domestic abuse were known to Children's Social Care.
In a sample of 877 children receiving support from four specialist domestic abuse services , the charity found a clear link between domestic abuse between adults and direct harm to children. 62% of children in the research had experienced direct abuse, for example emotional abuse, physical abuse and / or neglect, in addition to witnessing the abuse of a parent. 28% experienced direct physical abuse. In the majority of incidences, the child abuse was perpetrated by the same person responsible for abusing the adult victim: usually the child's father or mother's male partner.
The research, outlined in a new policy report entitled In plain sight: effective help for children exposed to domestic abuse , also found that:
• Children are suffering multiple physical and mental health consequences as a result of witnessing domestic abuse: 52% of the children had behavioural problems, 39% had difficulties adjusting to school and 60% felt responsible for what was happening at home.
• A quarter of the children displayed abusive behaviour: this usually occurred once their exposure to adult domestic abuse had stopped. This behaviour was frequently directed towards their mother, sibling or friend, and rarely towards the main perpetrator of domestic abuse.
• Although only half the children were previously known to children's social care, 80% of the children were known to at least one public agency. They were therefore ‘in plain sight' and able to be identified.
• Children's health and wellbeing outcomes significantly improved after support from specialist children's domestic abuse services, and abusive behaviour also dropped from 25% to 7%.
• Children were less likely to experience direct harm if the parental domestic abuse had ended.
Caada estimates that 130,000 children are at high risk of serious harm or death from domestic abuse. Hundreds of thousands more are exposed to domestic abuse at lower risk levels.
In a series of recommendations aimed at commissioners and social care leaders, the report warns that safeguarding children and domestic abuse services work in silos. There is little shared understanding about the risk posed to children living with domestic abuse amongst agencies or amongst practitioners, resulting in a situation where the risks faced by these children are “insufficiently visible” to children's safeguarding teams.
The report calls for local areas to:
• Create a network of nominated lead professionals on domestic abuse and safeguarding across all agencies who work with families, with a shared understanding of risk assessment.
• Provide linked specialist domestic abuse services for adults and children.
• Monitor provision and outcomes for children exposed to domestic abuse.
Diana Barran, Chief Executive of Caada said: “Domestic abuse is a factor in the background of two thirds of Serious Case Reviews. A number of these have made the headlines recently, including the tragic cases of Daniel Pelka and Hamzah Khan. For too long, services have worked in silos, with different assessments of risk around adult domestic abuse and children's safeguarding. To prevent further needless deaths, leadership is needed to move agencies from a culture of referrals to one of proactive and effective joint action.”
About In plain sight
Caada's new policy report In plain sight: effective help for children exposed to domestic abuse , plus the supporting research, In plain sight: the evidence on children exposed to domestic abuse, and the supporting Children's Insights Data Appendix , are available to download from www.caada.org.uk/policy/research-and-evaluation.
Data on 877 children exposed to domestic abuse was collected by children's case workers in four specialist domestic abuse services between February 2011 and September 2013 (30 month period). This was supplemented by data directly from the children in around one third of cases.
Key statistics from In plain sight policy and research reports:
Finding 1: There is a major overlap between direct harm to children and domestic abuse
• 62% of children exposed to domestic abuse were also directly harmed (emotional abuse, physical abuse and/or neglect).
• 28% of children suffered direct physical abuse.
• In 91% of cases, the direct harm was perpetrated by the same person as the domestic abuse: most commonly the child's father (64 % ) or mother's male partner (25%).
• A third of mothers and a third of fathers disclosed mental ill health, substance misuse, or both.
Finding 2: Children suffer multiple physical and mental health consequences as a result of exposure to domestic abuse
• Over half (52%) of the children exposed to domestic abuse had behavioural problems.
• Over a third (39%) had difficulties adjusting at school.
• Nearly two thirds (60%) felt responsible for negative events at home.
• 52% had problems with social development and relationships.
Finding 3: A quarter of children exposed to domestic abuse exhibit abusive behaviour
25% of children (equal boys and girls) exhibited abusive behaviours, most frequently towards their mother or sibling, and rarely towards the main perpetrator of the domestic abuse.
• Most common was physical abuse, present in 82% of cases.
• Children showing abusive behaviour were more likely to have been victims of severe direct harm.
• Children were more likely to show abusive behaviour when they were no longer exposed to domestic abuse.
Finding 4: Only half of children exposed to domestic abuse are known to children's social care
• Only half (54%) of children exposed to domestic abuse and two thirds (63%) of those living with severe domestic abuse were known to children's social care at intake to the children's domestic abuse service.
• A third (34%) of children who were directly harmed were not known to children's social care at intake.
• At least 80% of the children exposed to domestic abuse were known to one public agency at intake – they were therefore ‘in plain sight'.
Finding 5: Children's outcomes significantly improve across all key measures after support from specialist children's domestic abuse services.
• In addition to significant improvements in health, safety, wellbeing and achievement, abusive behaviour in children exposed to domestic abuse dropped from 25% to 7% following support from the service.
Finding 6: There is a relationship between the cessation of domestic abuse and the cessation of direct harm to children
• The research showed a relationship between the cessation of domestic abuse and the cessation of direct harm to children.
• 69% of domestic abuse ceases at point of case closure after the victim receives support from an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (Idva). However only 42% of victim parents were receiving support from an Idva.
• Only 6% of perpetrators were receiving support to address their abusive behaviour.
• Only 6% of parents accessed parenting support.
Anonymised quotes from children in the research:
* To protect identities, names have been changed.
“Every time I felt scared I wanted to go into my room, curl up into a ball and start screaming.” Chloe*
“I don't feel safe at school ‘cos my dad says he's going to come and take me away. I just try and stay with friends, near teachers and near buildings where teachers are.” Peter*
“There was physical violence twice a week [during contact sessions] in front of him, it was not pleasant for him and not pleasant for me…. my son was in tears…. He was seeing the case worker then and she was vital for him.” Daniel's Mum*
“If my dad would be angry and everything, I would copy him, that's how I got angry… he used to shout at me all the time and I thought that was a good thing.” Hassan*
“People always tell me I'm just like my dad. I don't want to be, I just want to be me”. Levi*, aged 14
“Things are better than they were. But I'm still waking up scared and having nightmares, but they'll go away won't they?” Alfie*, aged 11
“I'd like to be home schooled. I worry that when I'm at school my mum is at home and I'm not there to look after her” Jake, aged 8
“I never invite my friends home. I never know if dad's gonna kick off” Alyssa, aged 15
“I worry about school phoning home when I've been in trouble, because then dad takes it out on mum. It's my fault” David, aged 13
In relation to the specialist domestic abuse services:
“The support helped my daughter to be a child again” Rachel*
“My son had gone through so much when he came into the refuge. He was distant and did not want to play. Now he is a happy chappy. The service has helped him to believe in himself” Sarah*
“My whole life has completely changed for the better. My children and I are now safe and able to live our lives. Before we were all trapped and very much controlled and at the risk of harm constantly. Now my children feel safe and their confidence is growing very much. They are now able to interact as they should be able to socially and are succeeding at school.” Helen*
Please note, Caada is the former name of SafeLives.