Concern At Child Protection Referrals Due To Domestic Abuse

Police in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire made over 11,000 child protection referrals to social services last year, due to domestic abuse.

The figures have been obtained by the NSPCC, which last year saw a record number of calls to its helpline from adults concerned about the well-being of a child.

In Leicestershire, 4,298 referrals were made in 2020/21, a slight fall on the 2019/20 figures, although 7,020 were made by Northamptonshire Police, nearly 1,000 more than the previous year.

The charity is campaigning for more community support to help children affected by domestic violence.

The Domestic Abuse Act has meant that children are now able to be officially recognised as victims of domestic abuse, but the NSPCC said more needs to be done to ensure their needs are considered.

Ellie Pirrie is the charity’s spokesperson: