Executive Summary

Background & Dataset

• The report draws on CAADA’s Children’s Insights dataset, capturing data from 877 cases of children (aged 0–18) supported by four specialist domestic abuse services in Devon and Blackpool, alongside direct feedback from 331 children.

• An estimated 130,000 children in the UK live in households with high-risk domestic abuse, and 6% of all children are exposed to severe domestic abuse at some point during childhood.

Key Findings

1. Major Overlap Between Domestic Abuse and Direct Harm:

   • 62% of children exposed to domestic abuse were also directly harmed through physical abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect.

   • In 91% of these cases, the direct harm was committed by the same perpetrator as the domestic abuse (most commonly the father or mother’s male partner).

2. Severe Health and Psychological Consequences:

   • At intake, 52% of children had behavioural problems, 60% felt to blame for negative events, 52% had social/relationship difficulties, and 39% struggled to adjust at school.

   • A third of mothers (31%) and fathers (32%) disclosed co-occurring mental ill-health, substance misuse, or both (the “toxic trio”).

3. Children Exhibiting Abusive Behaviours:

   • 25% of children (equal proportions of boys and girls) exhibited abusive behaviours themselves—most commonly physical abuse directed towards their mother (62%) or siblings (52%).

   • Abusive behaviour was most frequent among 15–17-year-olds (42%) and was more likely to occur after the exposure to domestic abuse in the home had ended.

4. Hidden from Social Care, but “In Plain Sight” of Other Agencies:

   • Only 54% of exposed children (and 63% of those exposed to severe abuse) were known to children’s social care prior to intake.

   • However, at least 80% were known to at least one public agency (such as the police), meaning these children were already visible to local services.

5. Impact of Specialist Support:

   • Support from specialist domestic abuse services resulted in significant improvements across all key safety and wellbeing metrics.

   • Stopping domestic abuse directly correlated with stopping direct harm to the children.