Communications and campaigns

Help Us Protect Children from Domestic Abuse

Children May Not Always Have the Words But Their Behaviour Often Speaks Volumes

Abuse in the home can leave lasting emotional scars, even when children are not the direct target. As the summer holidays approach and children spend more time at home, the risk of harm can increase - and so does the importance of the adults around them noticing the signs.

Whether you’re a teacher, neighbour, sports coach, friend, or family member, you could be the one who sees what others don’t.

The Campaign: “See Beyond the Silence”

Developed by Hampshire County Council, in partnership with the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership and the Hampshire Authentic Voice Panel, this campaign urges adults to pause, look closer, and act.

Children experiencing domestic abuse might:

• Seem anxious, withdrawn, or unusually aggressive
• Become suddenly fearful or overly compliant
• Struggle with sleep or concentration
• Show signs of guilt or self-blame

These behaviours are often a child’s way of asking for help - without saying a word.

Campaign images for Partners to use:

Children are victims too 1080x1920 resolution for mobile content
Children are victims too Blue and White Bear 800x800 resolution
If you think something's wrong please help Yellow Bear square image 1080x1080 resolution
If you think something's wrong, please help 1080x1920 resolution for mobile content
Seeing or hearing domestic abuse can have devastating effects Blue and White Bear 1080x1920 resolution for mobile content
Seeing or hearing domestic abuse can have devastating effects White and Blue 1080x1920 resolution for mobile content

You Don't Need to Be Certain. You Just Need to Care.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Your concern could be the first step toward safety for a child.

You don’t have to investigate - just speak to someone who can help. Whether it’s your local safeguarding team, a school’s designated safeguarding lead, or a domestic abuse charity, reaching out could change a child’s life.

Spot the Signs. Start the Conversation. Seek Support

Your awareness could be a child’s lifeline.

Domestic abuse doesn’t just affect adults—it can have a devastating impact on children and young people too. Sometimes the signs are easy to spot, but other times they can be hidden.

More Obvious Signs

These are changes you might notice in a child’s behaviour or emotions:

Hidden Signs

Some children try to hide what they’re going through. They might:

Why It Matters

Even if a child seems “fine,” they might be struggling inside. It’s important to look beyond the surface and notice changes in behaviour, mood, or habits. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard.

Find out more about the effects of domestic abuse on children.

If you’ve noticed signs that a child or young person might be experiencing domestic abuse, it’s important to talk to them in a kind and safe way. Here are some simple steps to help you start and manage that conversation:

Choose a Safe, Quiet Moment: Find a time when you can talk privately, without rushing. Make sure the child feels safe and not watched or overheard.

Be Calm and Gentle: Speak in a soft, calm voice. Let them know you care and that they can talk to you if they want to.

You could say: “I’ve noticed you seem a bit upset lately. I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

Don’t Push Them to Talk: It’s okay if they’re not ready. Just knowing someone is there for them can make a big difference.

Listen Without Judging: If they do open up, listen carefully. Don’t interrupt or ask too many questions. Let them speak in their own time.

Reassure Them: Let them know

Immediate Risk

Hampshire Children’s Services: Public Tel: 0300 555 1384 (Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm), Out of Hours: 0300 555 1373

Professionals should complete the online inter-agency referral form. For urgent Child protection enquiries, also call the Professionals Line: 01329 225379.

All other concerns

🔹 Hampshire Domestic Abuse Advice Line
Run by Stop Domestic Abuse, for anyone concerned about a child or young person.
📞 Call: 03300 165 112
📧 Email: [email protected]

🔹 Hampshire Children’s Services
To report a safeguarding concern, always complete the  Inter-Agency Referral Form (IARF). It is important to do this as your piece of information could be part of a much bigger picture and could make the world of difference to a child.
📞 Call: 0300 555 1384 (Office hours)
📞 Out of hours: 0300 555 1373
🌐 hants.gov.uk

🔹 NSPCC Helpline
For advice and support if you're worried about a child.
📞 Call: 0808 800 5000
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 nspcc.org.uk

🔹 Childline
For children and young people to reach out directly.
📞 Call: 0800 1111
🌐 childline.org.uk

For Professionals: Be a Catalyst for Change

Share the campaign

Whether you work in education, healthcare, youth services, or community support - your voice carries weight. Here’s how you can help extend the reach of “See Beyond the Silence” and prepare your service for those who may now seek help:

1. Raise Awareness Within Your Network
• Share the campaign on your organisation’s website, social media, and notice boards.
• Incorporate campaign resources into team meetings, staff training days, and newsletters.
• Host awareness workshops or short information sessions tailored to your network’s needs and context.
2. Be Prepared for More Disclosures
• Make staff aware of this campaign
• Ensure all frontline staff are confident in identifying and responding to signs of abuse in children.
• Ensure all staff are up to date on your safeguarding procedures and referral pathways.
3. Partner With Others
• Build bridges with local schools, clubs, health services, and community centres to share materials and coordinate efforts.
• Nominate a campaign lead within your organisation to champion progress and track impact.
4. Use Your Platform, No Matter the Size
• Whether you're a large institution or a one-person practice, your voice matters. One conversation can open the door to safety for a child.

For any queries about the campaign, email [email protected].

We are currently running a campaign to encourage anyone living with domestic abuse to seek help from our local services.

The UEFA Men’s European Championship 2024 launches this week on Friday 14 June and this sees the start of our latest campaign focusing on ending the violence. Research shows that when England lose a game in the World cup incidents of domestic violence and abuse increase by 38%, and by 26% when they win¹. Further research from Warwick Business School found that reported cases of alcohol-related domestic abuse rose by 47 per cent on the day of an England victory at the World Cup or European Championship².

Let’s be clear - the message is not that football itself is responsible for domestic abuse. Football can be a source of community, a tool for building self-esteem and a vehicle of tolerance building. Most fans watch a game without any negative behaviours. For some reason however, it exacerbates an underlying systemic problem in our society causing some to become abusive towards those closest to them.

The Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership is a group of local services and agencies in Hampshire working together to provide help and support for:

• Victims and survivors of abuse
• Children living with domestic abuse
• People who may be abusing or hurting someone
• Professionals seeking advice

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual abuse by any individual ‘personally connected’ to the individual. Control can take form of, although not limited to; financial, technological or in relation to socialisation.

It can often start off small, with lots of different events that gradually chip away or erode your confidence. It can sometimes make you feel that you are losing your “sense of self” and that you can’t trust your own judgement or feel you don’t have the right to make decisions.

If you would like to share our messages, assets and social media messages, please download from this page.

Social media messages to accompany images

See the social media messaging options to use along side the images and moving assets provided below.

Social media images

Social media assets and imagery that you can use to post on your own social media channels. Please ensure that you use the accompanying messages above as relevant, including a phone number to sign post to relevant services.

Campaign image 1 – square
Campaign image 2 – portrait
Campaign image 3 – landscape

Briefing note for services

This briefing includes information for services on things to consider throughout the campaign, including signposting, risk assessment and data collection.

UEFA Euros 2024 and domestic abuse briefing note for partners

Please send any queries to [email protected].

^[1] Can the FIFA World Cup Football (Soccer) Tournament Be Associated with an Increase in Domestic Abuse? - Stuart Kirby, Brian Francis, Rosalie O’Flaherty, 2014 (sagepub.com)
^[2] Domestic abuse increases almost 50 per cent after England win at World Cup- - Warwick Business School (wbs.ac.uk)

25 November to 10 December 2024

With the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence starting with White Ribbon Day on Monday 25 November 2024, the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership is encouraging people to get involved.

This calendar of events taking place across the local area shows how you can support the 16 Days of Activism:

Stop Domestic Abuse event calendar

White Ribbon Day (16 Days of Activism)

25 November 2024

A domestic abuse awareness stall will be in Festival Place between 09:30 and 15:30 with Paragon, Stop Domestic Abuse and Basingstoke and Deane District Council representatives.

White Ribbon Day on 25 November highlights that help is available for anyone experiencing domestic abuse and marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism, a campaign which urges people in their communities, organisations and workplaces, to come together, and say ‘no’ to violence against women.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, seek help. Call the Hampshire Domestic Abuse advice line: 03300 165112.

If you are concerned about your behaviour towards someone else, help is available. Call the Hampton Trust’s advice line: 02380 009898.

Aurora Armed Forces Service (16 Days of Activism)

The Aurora Armed Forces Service supports victims/survivors who are a serving member of the Army or Navy or where the alleged perpetrator is a serving member of the Army or Navy. Our advocacy covers domestic abuse, sexual violence or stalking. We cover both nationally and internationally (Foreign and Commonwealth service).

3 December 2024

Armed Forces Advocates from Aurora New Dawn will deliver a talk to army HQ surrounding the support that can be offered to victims/survivors of domestic abuse, including some anonymous case studies detailing the specialist support provided to serving personnel and their families.

4 December 2024

Armed Forces Advocates will attend an all-day health event at Alexander Barracks in Pirbright to talk about the services and support they can offer to those serving and their families, including advocacy, court support, legal advice and recovery group work.

You can contact the armed forces team at Aurora New Dawn by phone or email:

Hampton Trust - Truth or Dare (16 Days of Activism)

A call for collective courage

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism, the team at domestic abuse charity Hampton Trust are challenging colleagues to reimagine their approach to domestic abuse.

Our ‘Truth or Dare’ campaign highlights stark facts that reveal the systemic issues that perpetuate cycles of abuse, while also empowering professionals with actionable solutions:

Facts and figures:

The campaign dares professionals to take action by:

Download the campaign resources or access them at The Dare Toolkit

Paragon (16 Days of Activism)

Paragon has developed the Dragonfly Project with people in our communities so that those who are not well served by mainstream services can be supported to access help if they are affected by domestic abuse. We are seeking to reach people in isolated communities across Hampshire.

Upcoming dates:

• December 12 2024 (10am)
• January 2 2025 (10am)
• January 8 2025 (10am)

Booking details for Dragonfly Champion training:

Dragonfly Champion domestic abuse awareness workshop - booking

25 November to 29 November 2024

Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) is delighted to announce the launch of its Safeguarding Practice week, starting on 25 November 2024. This weeklong initiative is focused on safeguarding children who are victims of domestic abuse, and designed for multi-agency professionals working with children and families within the Hampshire Local Authority area.

In the UK, approximately 1 in 5 children are victims of domestic abuse. It is vital to recognise that these children do not simply ‘witness’ domestic abuse; they are recognised by law as victims in their own right. Domestic abuse can profoundly affect a child's development, behaviour, health, education and overall wellbeing, with impacts that can last into adulthood.

In collaboration with the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Board (HDAP), HSCP seeks to highlight the critical importance of safeguarding children who are victims of domestic abuse. Just like adult victims, children require access to high-quality domestic abuse support that is timely and easily accessible. Services and practitioners should not only work together to ensure immediate safety but also facilitate long-term recovery, leading to more positive outcomes.

Throughout Safeguarding Practice week, HSCP will focus on various aspects of multi-agency practice each day, providing valuable resources to support practitioners responding to domestic abuse within families.

Schedule (Safeguarding week)

Help support this initiative by sharing our messages on X throughout the week using the hashtag '#domesticabusesafeguardingweek'.