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In Plain Sight

Effective help for child victims of domestic abuse

In Plain Sight, published in 2014, was the first report to use data and evidence from our Children’s Insights dataset. Keep up to date by viewing the latest Children’s Insights dataset.

The 2014 report findings reveal a troubled picture of harm experienced by child victims of domestic abuse. It has long been established that children who witness domestic abuse experience a range of harm. In Plain Sight evidences the overlap between domestic abuse and physical harm, the substantial number of children ‘acting out’ abusive behaviour and the numbers who are not known to children’s social care.

The research report provides detailed analysis of the evidence and the grave impact domestic abuse has on the children forced to live with it. The policy report challenges commissioners and policymakers to act and gives practical recommendations about what to do.

 

Every time I felt scared I wanted to go into my room, curl up into a ball and start screaming

Child survivor
  • 62%

    of children were also being directly harmed

    alongside exposure to domestic abuse

  • 25%

    of both boys and girls exhibit abuse behaviours

    mostly once their exposure to domestic abuse has ended

Key findings

  • 62% of children exposed to domestic abuse in were also directly harmed
  • Children are suffering multiple physical and mental health consequences as a result of exposure to domestic abuse
  • 25% of both boys and girls exhibit abusive behaviours, mostly once their exposure to domestic abuse has ended
  • Only 54% of the children exposed to domestic abuse were known to children’s social care
  • Children’s outcomes significant improve access across all key measures after support from specialist children’s services
  • There is a relationship between cessation of domestic abuse and cessation of direct harm to children

Recommendations

  • Create a network of lead professionals across agencies with a shared understanding of risk, to achieve early intervention at little or no cost
  • Provide linked specialist domestic abuse services for the child and the parents to ensure children’s safety
  • Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) and Ofsted should monitor provision and outcomes for child victims of domestic abuse to ensure children are protected and helped

 

My son had gone through so much… 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*, survivor

Further research and reading