Nursery World - 'Spot risks to child in violent families'

Eight out of ten young people who were physically abused as children had also witnessed domestic violence, research by the NSPCC has found. The statistics are found in a report, Child Maltreatment in the Family, published last week. Among its findings were that children who grew up in lone parent or broken families were between three and six times more likely to have experienced serious abuse, although some abuse may have preceded a family breakdown. In total, five per cent of children experience more than one type of serious abuse by parents.

The statistics are found in a report, Child Maltreatment in the Family, published last week. Among its findings were that children who grew up in lone parent or broken families were between three and six times more likely to have experienced serious abuse, although some abuse may have preceded a family breakdown. In total, five per cent of children experience more than one type of serious abuse by parents.

Mary Marsh, NSPCC director and chief executive, said, 'Violence between adults caring for a child can sound a warning bell that a child is at risk of serious maltreatment. We must all be alert to the ways in which destructive family relationships can damage a child and act on any concerns that a child is at risk of abuse.'

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