Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding: Understanding the Growing Concern

Domestic abuse remains one of the most significant safeguarding issues in the UK, affecting millions of adults and children each year. Although awareness has increased and reporting has improved, the level of harm remains high.

There is ongoing debate about whether domestic abuse itself is becoming more common, or whether greater awareness, better professional training and improved reporting processes are revealing abuse that previously went unnoticed or unreported.

What is clear, however, is that domestic abuse has far-reaching implications for safeguarding practice across health, education, social care and the criminal justice system.

The scale of domestic abuse

Domestic Abuse is more often a pattern of behaviour that develops over time, including coercive control, emotional abuse, threats and sometimes physical harm. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognised this by expanding the legal definition to better reflect the reality and impact of controlling and coercive behaviour.

Research also shows how widespread the issue is. The National Centre for Domestic Violence estimates that around one in five adults will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives. However, many cases are never reported to statutory services, meaning the true scale is likely to be much higher. Police in England and Wales recorded more than 1.35 million domestic abuse-related crimes and incidents in the year ending March 2024, but this is only part of the overall picture.

Domestic abuse as a safeguarding Issue

Domestic abuse is not only a criminal justice issue; it is also a major safeguarding concern. It involves patterns of behaviour that place victims at ongoing risk of harm and is often linked with other vulnerabilities such as mental ill-health, substance misuse, poverty, housing instability and social isolation.

For safeguarding professionals, domestic abuse can be difficult to identify because it often happens behind closed doors and may remain hidden for long periods. Children are frequently affected too. Under UK law, children who live in households where domestic abuse occurs are recognised as victims in their own right.

The impact on children

The impact of domestic abuse on children can be significant. Research from SafeLives suggests that more than 105,000 children are currently living in households experiencing high-risk domestic abuse. Evidence also shows that in around 78% of these cases, children are directly harmed by the perpetrator as well as witnessing the abuse.

Children affected by domestic abuse can experience a range of emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties, including:

Safeguarding guidance in England recognises these risks. Working Together to Safeguard Children identifies domestic abuse as a key risk factor linked to child abuse and neglect, highlighting the importance of early identification and multi-agency support.

Similarly, Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025) explains that children who witness domestic abuse may experience emotional abuse and should receive appropriate safeguarding support.

Is domestic abuse increasing?

Understanding whether domestic abuse itself is increasing is complex. Survey data suggests that overall prevalence has remained relatively stable in recent years. However, several factors contribute to the perception that domestic abuse is rising.

Greater public awareness and clearer legal definitions mean abusive behaviour is now recognised earlier and more consistently. This helps both victims and professionals identify patterns that may previously have gone unnoticed.

Economic pressures and wider social stressors can also increase risk. Financial instability, housing insecurity and relationship stress are commonly identified factors within domestic abuse risk assessments.

Technology has created new forms of abuse as well. Perpetrators may use digital tools, smart devices and social media to monitor, harass or control victims.

There is also a broader professional understanding of domestic abuse, particularly coercive and controlling behaviour. As a result, behaviours that may once have been dismissed as relationship conflict are now more widely recognised as abuse.

The role of safeguarding professionals

Effective safeguarding responses depend on strong multi-agency working. Professionals across education, health, social care and policing all play an important role in identifying and responding to domestic abuse.

Key safeguarding actions include:

Within education settings, staff are often among the first professionals to notice that a child may be living in a household affected by domestic abuse. Changes in behaviour, attendance or emotional wellbeing can signal underlying concerns. Schools and colleges therefore play a vital role in early identification and can provide a trusted environment where children feel able to seek help.

Moving forward

Domestic abuse remains one of the most significant safeguarding challenges across the UK. Although awareness has improved, the scale of the issue shows that prevention, early intervention and access to specialist support are still essential.

Effective safeguarding depends on strong multi-agency working, confident and well- informed professionals and systems that respond quickly when concerns arise. Early identification is particularly important for children living in households where domestic abuse occurs, so that they receive timely protection and support.

Training is a key part of strengthening this response. High-quality safeguarding training - particularly around domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour - helps professionals recognise patterns of harm, assess risk and respond appropriately.

At Brightcore, we support organisations with this type of specialist training as part of wider safeguarding development.

By strengthening safeguarding systems in this way, organisations are better able to identify risks early and ensure children and families receive the support they need. Addressing domestic abuse ultimately requires a coordinated response across services and communities that recognises its significant and lasting impact.