Report reveals extent of domestic abuse affecting Scottish children

THE impact of domestic abuse on Scottish children has been laid bare in a new report which revealed 6,585 witnessed violence in the home over Christmas.

However, the Violence Reduction Unit, which published the study covering December and January, fears the true figure could be even higher, as many incidents go unreported.

Domestic abuse traditionally peaks during the festive period when families spend long periods together, a lot of alcohol is sometimes consumed, and tensions can run high.

Chief Inspector Graham Goulden, of Strathclyde Police, said: “These are just the incidents we know about, the incidents where police have been called and recorded that children were present.

“Sadly, this will not be the full picture.

“We know it can often take many incidents of abuse before a victim feels able to report, often because they fear what will happen to their children if they do.

“It’s likely there are other children out there that we don’t know about who will have seen domestic abuse over Christmas.”

Alison Todd, director of policy and practice at Children 1st, added: “We need to start thinking about children who witness domestic abuse as victims, because often they are.

“Research has shown that children are more likely to be physically abused in homes where there is severe violence and also, a minority are more likely to be sexually abused.

“We know from the work we do in our abuse and trauma recovery services that the emotional trauma from growing up in homes where violence is present can also be severe, especially for younger children.

“As a society, we need to be sure that we are doing all we can to protect children from domestic abuse - the data suggests that well over 30,000 children in Scotland could be living in fear of abuse and violence.”