Yorkshire and Humber: Domestic abuse child protection referrals rises

We are hearing there were over 7,200 child protection referrals for domestic abuse across Yorkshire and the Humber last year.

That is according to stats from the NSPCC which showed on average there were 20 referrals made each day across the two regions.

Forces recorded 7,277 referrals in 2020/21 – an increase of 2.4% on the previous year.

This tallies with figures from the NSPCC helpline last year, which saw a record number of contacts during the pandemic about domestic abuse from adults concerned about the wellbeing of a child.

With the Victim’s Law consultation closing this week, the NSPCC is calling on Dominic Raab, Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, to ensure all child victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales have access to specialist, therapeutic services in the community to support their recovery.

Terri White lived in an abusive home as a child. Both herself and her mother suffered serious and sustained physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her mother’s partners.

She said: “I lived through violence as a child and can testify to the physical, emotional and mental trauma you’re left with which can be life-long. That trauma has taken me decades to work through.

“I spent years battling self-harm, addiction and severe mental health issues. I felt like I was nothing. And there will be kids today like me - kids who will be scarred and devastated by their experiences, who live their life in fear - suffering abuse in their own homes, who will feel exactly the same.

“But with support, through the Victims Law, right there in their own communities, they can begin to recover. They can live happy, fear-free, healthy lives.”

Last week marked the start of children being officially recognised as victims of domestic abuse as part of the Domestic Abuse Act. The NSPCC hopes this will make it more likely that their needs are considered by professionals on the frontline such as social workers and police.

The change to the law came after relentless campaigning by the NSPCC and other charities to reflect the impact experiencing domestic abuse can have on children.

However, the NSPCC remains concerned that this alone will not ensure enough support is in place for children.

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.

“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.”

In 2019/20, Humberside Police had 1,658 referrals but for 2020/21, that was significantly reduced to 551.

In North Yorkshire, the figure increased from 1,095 to 1,449.

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• NSPCC
• yorkshire and the humber
• North Yorkshire Police
• Humberside Police