CYP Now - NSPCC survey finds violence in the home increases risk of antisocial behaviour in children

Children who witness family violence are more likely to seriously harm another person, run away from home, be excluded from school or carry a weapon, according to a survey by the NSPCC.

The research, which questioned more than 6,000 children, young people and carers in England, found that children who see violence between their parents or other family members are four times as likely as their peers to carry a knife or hurt someone.

They are also three times more likely to be involved in a range of antisocial behaviour such as bullying, stealing or vandalism and twice as likely to be excluded from school.

Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: "This research is particularly timely with the government's focus on ‘troubled families'. It shows a clear link between witnessing family violence at a young age and serious behavioural problems in later life.

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