THE NSPCC is calling on the Government to recognise the 6,091 children living with domestic abuse in Essex as victims under law.

The Government will miss an opportunity to protect children from the effects of domestic abuse if it ignores calls to recognise them as victims in their own right, the charity has said.

It says the Government’s proposed new definition of domestic abuse ignores the effect growing up in abusive households has on children, despite it being a factor in more than half of child protection assessments across England last year.

The children’s charity is urging the Government to publish its

Domestic Violence and Abuse White Paper without delay

and recognise children as victims in its domestic abuse laws. Department for Education figures show domestic violence was a factor

in 6,091 child protection assessments in Essex between 2017 and 2018.

This includes 4,580 at Essex County Council, 876 at Thurrock Council and 635 at Southend Council.

The NSPCC is claiming legal recognition as victims of

domestic abuse would give children greater explicit protection through domestic abuse protection orders.

It would also help professionals to take action to protect

children at risk and would help authorities to ensure there are specific services to help

young people overcome the trauma of exposure to domestic

abuse.