Are you dreading the thought of spending time out of a routine and away from your support network? Worried about yourself or your children? Is it time to seek help?
Although the summer holidays seem a way off, at this time of year we often see an increase in domestic abuse that has been fuelled by money worries, excessive alcohol consumption and spending longer periods of time together – and by the very nature of children spending more time at home during the holidays, they are at much greater risk of experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse.
Sadly, for either a parent or child, factors such as extra time spent together can often make it difficult for people to seek help, or even escape. The increased time of being in an unstable household can lead to multiple feelings of fear and isolation, with a greater chance of experiencing violence and abuse.
Is this behaviour domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can include physical violence, emotional abuse, humiliation, threats, coercive and controlling behaviour, intimidation and sexual abuse.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children under the age of 18 years who see, or hear, or experience the effects of the abuse, as a victim of domestic abuse if they are related or have a parental relationship to the adult victim or perpetrator of the abuse.
Exposure to this type of behaviour (whether experienced directly or witnessed) can have devastating ramifications for children.
The cost of Summer holidays
The cost of living crisis has left families unable to afford activities over the school break, and many children are left with no adult supervision online or in the community.
For a parent, the added responsibility of keeping children entertained over the six weeks can add tremendous pressure, especially with a rise in temperature.
NOTE: There are free activity guides for families in Liverpool through the Family Hubs website.
This guide from VisitLiverpool also feature free things to do with the kids.
Economic pressures and tensions at home can also lead to increased risks of physical violence.
Every year in the UK, just under a million children are ‘hidden victims’ of domestic violence. Their experiences can include overhearing shouting or witnessing a parent being violent towards the other.
Get help now…
If something feels wrong in your relationship or if your partner has acted inappropriately to you in front of your children, it’s time to seek help.
The NSPCC helpline handled the highest number of domestic abuse contacts in the summer period from July to Septembe1r.
Children who experience or witness domestic abuse and coercive control can feel scared and may have poor mental health as a result.
The NSPCC wants the government to provide therapeutic support services, independent domestic violence and abuse advisors, helplines and counselling services for children. We opened up our Courage Corner children’s counselling service to children of domestic abuse survivors earlier this year.
The charity said that of those contacting them about, 1,422 mentioned emotional abuse. These peaked in June with 190 contacts, and overall, 32% of these took place between June and August.
The charity Barnardo’s have also said many children experiencing sexual and criminal exploitation are “invisible” to professionals during the school holidays.
You can contact the NSPCC here if you are worried about a child and do not know what to do.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse you can contact us in complete confidence and we will help you find appropriate support. To find out more about what happens when you call us – read this blog. Call us on 0151 494 2000.
- NSPCC (2022-2023) ↩︎