According to the charity, CHILDREN 1ST, recent figures released by the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) have shown that there were 6,585 Scottish children present at domestic abuse incidents during December and January. These figures are based on the number of incidents known to the police. The actual number is likely to be a lot higher.


Alison Todd, Director of Policy and Practice Development at CHILDREN 1ST, said:

"We need to start thinking about children who witness domestic abuse as victims, because often they are. Research has shown that children are more likely to be physically abused in homes where there is severe violence and also, a minority are more likely to be sexually abused.

"We know from the work we do in our abuse and trauma recovery services that the emotional trauma from growing up in homes where violence is present can also be severe, especially for younger children.

"As a society, we need to be sure that we are doing all we can to protect children from domestic abuse - the data suggests that well over 30,000 children in Scotland could be living in fear of abuse and violence.

"At CHILDREN 1ST, we've had enough of children's lives being blighted by violence and we think it is time for Scotland to say "enough" as well.

"No child in Scotland should be growing up afraid to go home and we will continue to work with the VRU and others to ensure this situation changes."