Hampshire charity finds more children caught up in domestic abuse
It comes as the NSPCC report a rise in children experiencing domestic abuse
A Hampshire domestic abuse charity's telling us children are commonly being used by abusers to maintain control.
It comes as the NSPCC reported a rise in children experiencing domestic abuse.
Claire Lambon is the CEO of Stop Domestic Abuse in Hampshire.
She said: "We have seen an increase in referrals for children and young people to access our services over the last five years of 67%.
"We've actually worked with 41% more children and young people over the last four years.
"The long term impact of domestic abuse on a child is significant.
"It affects their emotional wellbeing, their sense of safety, their development.
"They're highly aware of tension between parents and they experience fear, anxiety, stress and uncertainty as a result.
"I think people do not have any idea about the lengths that a perpetrator will go to to control their partner or ex-partner.
"The avenues that they will go to are quite extreme, and children are often the individuals most affected by post-separational abuse."
The NSPCC handled 8,448 domestic abuse-related child welfare contacts last year, which is an increase of 80% since the service began recording.
Almost a third of these domestic abuse contacts ended in a referral to local agencies including police and children's social services.   
The NSPCC is appealing to the public to reach out to its Helpline if they have any concern, no matter how small, about a child experiencing domestic abuse.