WHILE the festive season is a magical moment for many, for some children and families it can be a difficult time.

You might have seen our latest Christmas campaign and TV advert, both aimed at reminding young people that Childline is available throughout the festive season to support on all concerns, including domestic abuse.

In the first six months of 2024/25, the NSPCC Helpline received 3,879 contacts relating to the issue, a 19 per cent rise compared to the same period of the previous year. Coercive or controlling behaviour was mentioned in more than 1,200 contacts, emotional domestic abuse in more than 1,400, both increasing by a half on the same period on the previous year. Reports of post-separation domestic abuse more than doubled.

Children are also directly contacting the charity about domestic abuse. Childline delivered more than 500 counselling sessions on domestic abuse in the same six-month period.

As we move towards Christmas and into winter, the concern is that these numbers will rise. With the school holidays and longer, darker nights, some young people could be more vulnerable to problems in the home. The NSPCC’s Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART) programme supports children to recover from the adverse effects of domestic abuse. The NSPCC team at the Yorkshire hub practise the DART service to bring together mothers and children in group sessions. Together, they discuss experiences, strengthen relationships and explore strategies for coping with and recovering from the trauma of domestic abuse.

Last Christmas, a 14-year-old girl told Childline counsellors: “My parents have always argued with each other, but over Christmas it’s got physical. I can hear it all going on in the next room, shouting, swearing, telling each other to leave. Then I see the bruises afterwards. It makes me so scared I can’t sleep.”

Sadly, there will be thousands of children this Christmas in search of confidential help for a range of concerns, including how to stay safe from abuse. Childline is ready for every call throughout the festive period, we’re committed to ensuring no child is left to suffer in silence.

Young people can speak directly to counsellors on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk, where they can find advice and resources. They can also access our moderated message boards helping them to speak with others their age and understand that they’re not alone.

If you are able to support Childline by making even a small donation online, just £4 could help one of our counsellors answer a call from a young person who desperately needs help this Christmas. There are other ways to help too. Find out more visiting the NSPCC website. Adults can contact the NSPCC Helpline if they have a concern about a child on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk. For more on DART visit the NSPCC website.