Today (7 June) is Childhood Day, which sees the NSPCC highlight the number of counselling and mental health support sessions they’re delivering across the UK.

An estimated 160,000 children in England are currently living in households where domestic abuse is taking place. Figures from the Children’s Commissioner for England show that the vast majority (92%) of cases involving child victims of domestic abuse are receiving no direct advocacy support.

The national picture is of a huge surge in demand for children’s mental health services, but also for domestic abuse support services for children too. There’s simply not enough funding.

Last year more than 100 children were referred for our specialist 1:1 support from across Berkshire and South Bucks – and we’re now being forced to running a waiting list that we’re working through as fast as possible.

The impact of waiting means that a child doesn’t get the support they need for many months – potentially leading to challenges in school, with behaviour, and caused by unaddressed trauma.

More funding is needed from the government, in recognition that children are direct victims of domestic abuse as much as adults.