Signs of domestic abuse in children and young people

Children living in households where domestic violence is happening are identified as "at risk" of harm suffered by seeing or hearing ill treatment of others. This would include witnessing domestic abuse.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds have been recognised as domestic abuse victims since 2013. However, in April 2021, for the first time, the Domestic Abuse Act recognised that a child (under the age of 18 years) who sees or hears (or experiences the effects of) domestic abuse, and is related to the person being abused or the perpetrator, is also to be regarded as a victim of domestic abuse.

Children are individuals and may respond to witnessing abuse in different ways. Some of the effects may include:

they may become anxious or depressed
they may have difficulty sleeping
they may complain of physical symptoms such as tummy aches
they may start to wet their bed
they may behave as though they are much younger than they are
they may have problems with school
they may become aggressive or they may internalise their distress and withdraw from other people
they may have a lowered sense of self-worth
older children may begin to play truant or start to use alcohol or drugs
they may begin to self-harm by taking overdoses or cutting themselves

Children may also feel angry, guilty, insecure, alone, frightened, powerless or confused. They may have ambivalent feelings towards both the abuser and the non-abusing parent.

If you are concerned that a child may be experiencing domestic abuse you must follow the Derby & Derbyshire safeguarding children procedures.

Find a copy of the safeguarding children’s procedures on the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership website.