AS the new year gets under way, Surrey Police is highlighting the plight of child victims of domestic abuse - the innocent and often forgotten victims. Officers are asking adults involved in an abusive relationship to think about the affect their actions may have on children. They are appealing to victims, and to relatives or neighbours who are aware of what is happening, to tell someone about the abuse so that it can be stopped for the sake of the children. As support services to victims have been improving, the reporting of domestic abuse has been rising over several years, to a level of 30 reports every day (11,742 incidents were reported 2006-2007). Despite these frightening levels of reported incidents, police still believe much goes unreported, which is why the force is running its publicity campaign. Domestic abuse often starts in pregnancy and is more frequent even than high blood pressure or diabetes during the period of a pregnancy. The abuse can often continue after the birth when a partner finds themself no longer the sole focus of attention. Where physical abuse occurs, the more severely a partner is battered, the more severe abuse the child is likely to suffer. This will affect the behaviour of the child, who could become either aggressive and anti-social, or fearful and inhibited. Longer term, children may learn that it is acceptable to be abusive and that violence is an effective way to get what you want, including by bullying. Witnessing persistent violence undermines children's emotional security and capacity to meet the demands of everyday life. Witnessing violence as a child is associated with later adult reports of depression, trauma-related symptoms and low self-esteem. Commenting on the impact of domestic abuse on children, Detective Superintendent Pete O'Sullivan said: "The saying 'scarred for life' is tragically true for so many children who have to witness domestic abuse. This is not from their choice and it is often those they hold most dear who are inflicting this harm. "People involved in domestic abuse must realise it is not just the two of them affected if there are children in the home. When I read the results of the research into the long-term impact of domestic abuse on children, I just want to tell the adults STOP, look at what you are doing to the children you profess to love. "If you are involved in domestic abuse it must be stopped and we will do all we can to achieve this. If you are a victim, you may not want to report the crime for yourself, but you owe it to the children involved. If someone you know is a victim, and there are children involved, don't ignore it, report it without delay." Victims of domestic abuse can report to Surrey Police, confident that they will be dealt with sympathetically and offenders will be brought to justice. All relevant agencies are working together to provide ongoing support when necessary.
