Calls for more support for children who see abusive relationships

A project launched last year in Newcastle for vulnerable children and parents who have been exposed to domestic violence and abuse, is being inundated with referrals.

DARE (Domestic Abuse Recovery Education) is facilitated by local children’s charity Children North East, which supports children ranging from four years to teenagers and their mothers.

The North East has some of the highest figures for domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes recorded by the police throughout the UK, with over 70,500 incidents recorded between April 2016 and March 2017. This equates to an average of 29 incidents and crimes for every 1,000 people across the three police areas in the North East.

One of the mothers helped by the project, who we're choosing not to name, said:

“My son was beginning to struggle with life and I could see that whatever I tried to do, it wasn’t helping him.

"Our relationship was starting to break down and I could see him getting angrier.

“By the end of the week, he was a completely different boy. I was amazed at the change in him. He was happy, and able to talk openly about everything that had gone on in the past."

It comes as Northumbria Police are urging the public to stand up and 'Say No More' as part of a national campaign to stop domestic violence and sexual assault.

Crime figures from the end of last year showed there were 1.9 million reports from victims of domestic abuse across the UK last year.

The figures also showed victims could be from any demographic and that 522,000 victims were actually male.

Domestic abuse can be physical but it may take other forms whether that be verbal abuse or coercive control.

Police are receiving more cases of victims being controlled financially or through the threat of taking away access to children.

Dame Vera Baird QC, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, said:

“Domestic violence and sexual crimes have to stop.

“We must recognise that domestic abuse can take many forms; it isn’t just physical, it can be economic, sexual, psychological and emotional.

“Sexual crimes can be hugely damaging and undermining and are about the exercise of power against the will of another person, just like domestic abuse.

“Northumbria officers are here to support all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, whether it has happened by someone you know or by a stranger. You will be heard and you will be helped.

"Abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. These crimes don’t just affect one type of person and can long lasting effects on victims and their lives.

"We have a responsibility to tackle domestic violence and sexual assault, raise awareness and together, with our partners, make sure every victim is heard and supported.

“Here in Northumbria we say NO MORE."