Child witnesses of domestic violence failed by police

The report looked at 251 incidents of domestic violence, involving at least one child witness, in two areas in England.

In one of these areas children's services were notified by police in just 28 per cent of cases and in only 44 per cent of cases in the other area.

In 85 per cent of cases analysed children's services provided no support or assessment, according to the report, Working Together to Safeguard Children Living with Domestic Violence, which is based on research by the University of Central Lancashire .

The report urges more police to think of children and young people as victims. Doing this will help them to "acknowledge and engage with their needs more fully".

Children's services should commission expert organisations to support and monitor victims of domestic violence and children's social workers should receive training in dealing with abusive and violent men, the report adds.

NSPCC head of policy and public affairs Diana Sutton said: "Children who have seen or overhead domestic violence can face problems at school, mental health problems and long-term difficulties in relationships. These children are the forgotten victims of domestic violence."