Figures released by UK wide charity Buttle UK has shown a staggering growth in the number of young victims exposed to domestic abuse.
Buttle UK's exclusive figures show that the number of grants awarded to families affected by domestic abuse rose by 22% between 2015 and 2016. Over £1 million was awarded by the charity, who provide financial support to help children up to the age of 18, who's families were affected by domestic abuse last year alone.
Alarmingly the charity reported nearly 10,000 children were referred to Buttle UK last year, who had been affected by domestic abuse. Out of these 3,384 children were aged four or under.
These figures reflect the 35% rise in the number of reported abuse for children aged four and under in the UK compared to last years figures.
Gerri McAndrew, CEO of Buttle UK, said: "Domestic abuse is an extensive and largely under-reported problem across the UK. Support services often assume that a child's needs can be met by addressing the needs of the abused parent.
"The increase in referrals we have seen may be a result of better awareness of the issue in general, but we still believe that the specific issues that children face in these situations are not being identified and met.
"We believe that this is the tip of the iceberg. It is estimated that 20% of children in the UK have been exposed to domestic abuse, but there has been very little published data in this area.
"The current Government's policy on domestic violence has no specific provision for children affected by domestic abuse, and there are currently no official statistics on the number of children who live with it. During this election we are calling for all parties to identify and prioritise the needs of these children in their manifestos. We hope the next Government will drive forward systemic change in how support services account for the needs of children."
Buttle UK's support for youths in abusive homes goes a long way to ensuring a brighter future for the children of Britain, helping to ensure the spread of awareness and the safety of youths.
Buttle UK's exclusive figures show that the number of grants awarded to families affected by domestic abuse rose by 22% between 2015 and 2016. Over £1 million was awarded by the charity, who provide financial support to help children up to the age of 18, who's families were affected by domestic abuse last year alone.
Alarmingly the charity reported nearly 10,000 children were referred to Buttle UK last year, who had been affected by domestic abuse. Out of these 3,384 children were aged four or under.
These figures reflect the 35% rise in the number of reported abuse for children aged four and under in the UK compared to last years figures.
Gerri McAndrew, CEO of Buttle UK, said: "Domestic abuse is an extensive and largely under-reported problem across the UK. Support services often assume that a child's needs can be met by addressing the needs of the abused parent.
"The increase in referrals we have seen may be a result of better awareness of the issue in general, but we still believe that the specific issues that children face in these situations are not being identified and met.
"We believe that this is the tip of the iceberg. It is estimated that 20% of children in the UK have been exposed to domestic abuse, but there has been very little published data in this area.
Buttle UK's support for youths in abusive homes goes a long way to ensuring a brighter future for the children of Britain, helping to ensure the spread of awareness and the safety of youths.
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