Charity saddened amid record calls to helpline to report abuse affecting children
The NSPCC has seen nearly 8,500 calls to its hotline to report abuse impacting children in the last year
Wiltshire domestic abuse charity says it's concerned and saddened that new figures show more people are calling helplines to report worries of children being affected by abuse.
It's after the NSPCC revealed that almost 8,500 calls have been made to it's hotline for people to raise their concerns about children across the country.
FearFree's Adrian Madden, who's Team Manager for Children and Family Therapeutic Services, said it highlighted the need for the help they provide to young people and families.
The charity offers help to children who are impacted by abuse, regardless of whether they're affected directly or indirectly.
Adrian said that the number of calls being made underlines the seriousness of abuse and how can affect children, as it can impact their own ability to form relationships and even normalise violent and controlling behaviour.
But he told us that there is a positive in people making those calls: "They're knowing where they can go for help. They can make a call to an agency that they know they can get help.
And in this case, the NSPCC are forwarding to other agencies, including ourselves, for those who require specialist help with regards to domestic abuse. It's very encouraging that children and families, parents are calling for help. I think that has to be taken as a positive."
Tackling trauma
Adrian explained that the charity supports children who've experienced trauma, which can include domestic abuse and sexual violence.
"It's those who've witnessed the abuse that we work with," he said, explaining that if the child is experiencing the abuse directly, it's social services and police who will be primarily involved. "If it's something that the child has witnessed, whether they've seen it or heard it or however it's been experienced, we will then work with those children to help them and to support them in the trauma they've experienced."
He said that they help children manage their feelings and emotions through stabilisation work in order to keep them safe, describing safety as the "first thing a child needs".
"In most cases, they will meet with what we call a children's therapeutic practitioner who will help them, but some cases, if it's more acute, we would offer help with a counsellor because we have a children's counsellor as well."
Adrian said the charity works alongside organisations such as social services and police to ensure children are as safe as they can possibly be, insisting that the best help is "when we all work together".
The charity is encouraging people in need of support to access their help, saying they can support whole families as well as individuals.
If you’re affected by issues raised in this article, there is help available from your local domestic abuse service via https://www.fearfree.org.uk/ or calling 0300 124 0927.
· The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
· The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors is 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
· The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
If you are in immediate danger always call 999.