More than a quarter of domestic abuse support services in England and Wales are being forced to turn away children in need, as chronic underfunding leaves vulnerable young victims without vital help.
A damning new report from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner reveals that 27% of surveyed services cannot meet the soaring demand, while over half have resorted to placing children on waiting lists—leaving many in potentially dangerous situations without immediate support.
The watchdog warns that despite legal recognition under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, children are still being treated as an “afterthought”, with funding gaps threatening to undo efforts to safeguard their welfare and recovery.
The survey, based on responses from over 260 domestic abuse services and 168 statutory agencies, found that 56% of providers had suffered funding cuts over the past five years.
These budget constraints are having a direct impact on their ability to deliver crucial care to traumatised children.
Dame Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, urged ministers to prioritise children’s services in the upcoming spending review, stating: “For too long, child victims of domestic abuse have been failed. Without targeted, sustained support, we are risking their health, education, relationships—and futures.”
She stressed that if the government is serious about its pledge to halve violence against women and girls by 2030, it must ensure children have access to the stable, specialist services they need to recover and rebuild.
Women’s Aid echoed these concerns, highlighting the “critical underfunding” and “stretched capacity” of child-focused support services across the country.
Nikki Bradley MBE, Director of Services at Women’s Aid, said: “Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on children’s mental and physical wellbeing. Without the right support, the damage can last a lifetime.”
She emphasised the importance of child-centred, specialist intervention: “These services are not just important—they are essential for helping children thrive after experiencing abuse.”
Refuge, one of the UK’s leading domestic abuse charities, revealed that children made up 52% of its refuge residents in 2023–2024. CEO Gemma Sherrington warned that frontline children’s services often rely on short-term, unstable funding, despite playing a critical role in supporting recovery.
The NSPCC also reported a 19% surge in calls relating to children suffering domestic abuse between April and September 2024, compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing scale of the crisis.
Campaigners are now calling on the government to honour its commitment to victims by translating legislative progress into real, long-term investment in services tailored to the needs of child survivors.
