This in from the police, in their own words, Ed
Below, a female survivor tells of her experience of being a child victim of domestic abuse, including rape/sexual abuse, by a member of her family.
“I hate Christmas, even now as an adult. All around me individuals are talking about family events, while for me it is a reminder of Christmas past, of when I was a child.
“As a child it meant that the house became more of a pressure cooker, and substance misuse issues plus domestic violence made home particularly unsafe. My parents were at war (emotional, verbal and physical) with each other and would include us within their battles.
“Another reason I hated Christmas as a child is that I had to pay for every single present I ever received from ‘father’ Christmas, in ways that no child should ever be expected to. The result was that I hated receiving gifts; and can still struggle with those emotions today.”
In March 2010 the Department of Health (DH) highlighted an estimated two million child victims of sexual abuse. Based on statistics used within the DH reports (published in March 2010) it has been estimated by CIS’ters that within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight approximately 16 per cent of children aged 14 or under are at a higher risk of all forms of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual abuse/exploitation) over the holiday period.
Detective Superintendent Ben Snuggs said:
“Unfortunately we do see a rise in the number of domestic abuse incidents over Christmas and New Year and we are concerned about the effects it can have on children living with abusive parents and carers.
“As part of the Speak Out Today campaign we are urging any family members and friends who think someone is suffering from domestic abuse to report it.”
Gillian Finch, Manager at CIS’ters: surviving rape and sexual abuse, said:
“Sometimes children living in a domestic abuse setting can be overlooked or invisible. All of the adult females we provide emotional support for were victims of rape/sexual abuse/exploitation as children within a familial setting. Of these, 62 per cent were living within a home environment that also contained domestic violence and/or abuse.
“The co-existence of domestic abuse/violence means that children and teens are not only vulnerable to all forms of abuse within the home, but externally as well. We urge anyone who thinks that a child is being abused NOT to ignore it; and if a child or young person is the victim of any type of abuse we encourage them to contact Childline.”
Help for children?
Any child who is living within a home that contains domestic abuse is a victim. They have the right to speak out and to seek help and we encourage them to do so.
Children who need help should contact Childline on 0800 1111 or through their website: www.childline.org.uk
Help for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse?
Contact CIS’ters on 023 8033 8080 or email [email protected]
Hampshire Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner are running the Speak Out Today campaign across the Christmas and New Year period to encourage victims, perpetrators, friends and family to report any incidents of abuse.
Domestic incidents are the only identified incident type that shows a significantly higher level of reporting in the run-up to Christmas compared with a period earlier in December. On average over the past six years, 20 per cent more domestic incidents have been reported at this time of year than in a similar period earlier in the month.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse Speak Out Today, call 101 to report it. In an emergency always call 999.
