Child protection referrals for domestic abuse climb to more than 30 a day in Sussex
The NSPCC has warned it's just the tip of the iceberg
There's been a sharp rise in the number of child protection referrals for domestic abuse made in Sussex.
New figures from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) show that in 2019/20 there were 9,869 calls made in Sussex, with that figure rising to 12,216 in 2020/21.
That works out at a near 24% increase whereas across England and Wales there was an 8% increase to 244,197 referrals in 2020/21.
Anna Edmundson, NSPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “Sadly, we know these figures are the tip of the iceberg as domestic abuse often goes unreported.
“Domestic abuse can derail a childhood and it is unacceptable that support to recover remains patchy across the country, and what is available risks being axed by cash-strapped councils.
A consultation on Victim's Law closes on Thursday (3rd February), which aims to improve the experiences of victims within the criminal justice system.
Anna continued: “We urge Dominic Raab to use the Victim’s Law to address this and ensure young victims of domestic abuse have easy access to professional services within their community so they can rebuild their lives no matter where they live.”
Adults with concerns about a child experiencing domestic abuse can contact the Helpline in confidence, which is free and available 24 hours a day on 0808 800 500.
Young people who are worried about domestic abuse can call Childline on 0800 11 11 or use an online Childline chat service to speak to advisers online.