The problem
Children who grow up in homes where domestic abuse takes place—where a parent is violent, controlling, or emotionally abusive—often carry the trauma into adulthood. But in England and Wales, if those children try to report the abuse years later, they’re told it’s 'too late' or that they weren’t the 'real victim.' This means adult survivors are denied justice, protection, and recognition.
What we’re asking for
We want the law in England and Wales to recognise the harm experienced by adult children of domestic abuse and allow them to bring criminal charges against an abusive parent—regardless of how long ago it happened or whether they were the direct target.
Legal Changes Needed
✅ A clear right for adult children to report past domestic abuse — and have it investigated.
🧠 Recognise emotional, coercive and environmental abuse — not just physical violence.
⏳ Scrap time limits on reporting psychological harm from childhood.
👨👩👧👦 Expand the legal definition of domestic abuse to include harm to children in the home.
👮♂️ Require police and CPS to take adult child cases seriously — even without physical injury.
Why it matters
Many adults in the UK are living with trauma from growing up in abusive households. Many were never hit—but they were hurt. It’s time the law saw them.
in England & Wales
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children who see, hear, or experience the effects of abuse as victims. However, this recognition is mostly used in family court settings, not criminal cases. In practice, adult children who experienced psychological harm from growing up in abusive households face major barriers if they try to report that abuse years later:
Police often say it’s 'not recent' or 'not criminal enough.'
Emotional and coercive abuse is difficult to prosecute unless it fits narrow legal definitions.
CPS guidance does not specifically support adult children trying to bring historic cases of emotional harm.
International law
Other countries are beginning to recognise the long-term impact of growing up around domestic abuse, but England & Wales has the opportunity to set the standard that allows adults to bring charges for witnessing domestic abuse as children.
Scotland: The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 includes psychological harm and controlling behaviours, with broader interpretation than England and Wales.
United States: Many states allow adult survivors to bring civil or criminal cases for emotional abuse, especially if trauma delayed reporting.
Spain: Recognises children exposed to domestic abuse as direct victims, with stronger criminal protections.
EU: The Istanbul Convention (which the UK has ratified) urges countries to protect all victims of domestic violence, including children living in abusive homes.