NSPCC records almost 8,000 child domestic abuse calls in 2024/25
Over 2,800 cases were concerning emotional abuse
Last updated 25th Jun 2025
The NSPCC says calls concerning child domestic abuse have reached a record high.
The children's charity responded to 7,825 calls from concerned adults from Wiltshire and across the UK last year - a 14% increase on the year before.
When the charity first started recording domestic abuse as a main concern in 2021/22, the helpline handled just under 4,600 calls.
Maherush Khan, local campaigns officer for the South West, told Greatest Hits Radio: “We have found that there's been a stark increase nationally since 2021 when we started collecting these records. There could be quite a few contributing factors towards this, including greater awareness and recognition of types of abuses and what domestic violence could look like and its impact on children.
“For example, if you think about coercive and controlling behaviour, which saw an increase of around 24% compared to previous years. So, even identifying those types of behaviours and how that links to domestic abuse as well as greater awareness – that definitely feeds into the amount of calls that we're getting.”
Coercive and controlling behaviour
Coercive and controlling behaviours often are a combination of different types of domestic abuse, such as physical, emotional or financial abuse.
They tend to include assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation in an attempt to harm, punish, or frighten.
In many cases, these behaviours are directed towards a partner or ex-partner.
Children living in such environments or experience any other type of abuse can develop long-term mental health issues.
“With any child experiencing domestic violence, it could have long lasting and harmful impact on their mental well-being that could lead well into the future. Every child is different, every situation is different and it could impact their mental health in such a significant way where it’s rolling over into adulthood, especially if they do not get the support that's needed.
“That's why any calls that come through Helpline help us to provide that support as soon as possible, so that they're not carrying that into their adulthood”, explained Ms Khan.
The NSPCC Helpline has trained advisors who can speak to members of the public if they are worried that a child might experience domestic abuse.
Last year, one third of calls concerning child domestic abuse resulted in a referral to local agencies, such as police and children’s social services.
Help available for child domestic abuse
If you’ve been affected by issues in this article there is help available from these services:
Childline – 0800 1111 - https://www.childline.org.uk (helpline for children and young people)
NSPCC – 0808 800 5000 - https://www.nspcc.org.uk