Domestic Abuse and Children: Signs, Impact & Safeguarding

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are “personally connected” and the behaviour is abusive. Abuse can be direct or indirect (e.g., through a child). Children can be victims if they are related and see, hear or experience the abuse.

It can feature

• Physical abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Violent or threatening behaviour

• Controlling or coercive behaviour

• Economic abuse

• Psychological, emotional or other abuse

Adapted from the Domestic Abuse: Statutory Guidance

Teenage Relationship Abuse

Teenage relationship abuse is a pattern of harmful, abusive or controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship, very similar to as in domestic abuse. The abuse can happen face-to-face, online, or both.

Adapted from The Children’s Society

Child to parent (or care giver) abuse

Child to parent abuse (CPA) is where a child or adult-child uses harmful behaviours against their parents or caregivers beyond a single incident, however CPA is acknowledged in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This means that if the child is 16 years or over, the abuse falls under the statutory definition of domestic abuse, and it does not matter whether the CPA behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct for it to be defined as domestic abuse.

Adapted from College of Policing

If you or someone you know is in an emergency situation, call 999

Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helplines -

• England: 0808 200 0247

• Northern Ireland: 0808 802 1414

• Scotland: 0800 0271234

• Wales: 0808 801 0800

Men's Advice Line (for men experiencing domestic abuse): 0808 801 0327

Respect helpline (for anyone worried that they may be harming someone else): 0808 802 4040

Calop (national helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people experiencing domestic abuse): 0800 999 5428

Forced Marriage Unit: 0207 008 0151

Paladin - National Stalking Advocacy Service: 0203 866 4107

• The National Centre for Domestic Violence says 1-in-5 adults experience domestic abuse during their lifetime. This equates to 1-in-4 women and 1-in-6 or 7 men. They report that domestic abuse and sexual violence can be persistent with the highest repeat victimisation of any crime.

• The Crime Survey for England and Wales found an estimated 2.2 million females (9.1%) and 1.5 million males (6.5%) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025.

• SafeLives says 78% of children living with domestic abuse are directly harmed by the perpetrator of the abuse, in addition to the harm caused by witnessing the abuse of others.

• Department for Education (DfE) statistics on the characteristics of children in need found that concerns about the mental health of the child's parent/carer and the child’s parent/carer being the victim of domestic abuse remained the most common factors identified in completed assessments in year end March 2025.

Domestic abuse can affect children even when they are not directly harmed or do not appear to be aware of what is happening. Living with fear, control, intimidation or violence can have a significant impact on a child’s safety, wellbeing and development.

Mental health - Children exposed to domestic abuse often experience intense feelings of fear, anxiety, and helplessness. This can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. They may also struggle with mood swings, sleep disturbances and issues with self-esteem and self-worth.

Social development - Many children may struggle to form healthy relationships and trust others because their understanding of interpersonal relationships has been shaped by dysfunction and violence. This may include displaying aggressive, antisocial or defence behaviours, due to internalising the violent dynamics they have witnessed.

Academic performance - The stress and trauma associated with domestic abuse can impair a child's ability to concentrate, problem-solve and learn. This can lead to long-term educational challenges and hinder their prospects.

Higher risk of other forms of harm both now and in the future - Children who have been exposed to domestic abuse can be at a higher risk of of other forms of harm both now and in the future. This might be in relation to enacting or being subjected to domestic abuse or there might be other forms of harm which arise for them.

Children or young people may:

• be wary of adults

• be aggressive, act out witnessed events

• have difficulty concentrating

• have difficulty developing relationships

• reduce attendance at education and/or attainment

• develop an eating disorder

• have poor self-esteem, depression or anxiety

• self-harm

• misuse alcohol or other substances

• develop concerning relationships.

Create a culture based on equality and informed choice. Settings are well placed to help by:

• Teaching children about relationships through the relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education curriculum and also through a wider promotion of equality across the setting, including equality in same-sex relationships. This links closely with education about bullying.

• Creating discussions and opportunities to reflect on developing relationships between young people.

• Raising awareness of domestic abuse among students, staff and parents and carers. Ensure everyone knows who to talk to if they are worried or believe they or someone they know needs help.

Check children and young people have safe relationships – in their family, with their peers and with your staff. Create a culture where it’s okay to talk even about the most difficult things.

Know the signs of potential harm and know what to do – use the checklists above, your safeguarding procedures and be confident in raising domestic abuse as a concern.

Take action – and keep taking action until you know children and young people are safe. If there is an immediate risk of harm to anyone, call the police.