Parent binge-drinking fears
Nearly one in three children lives with a parent who is a binge drinker, campaigners have warned today.
Latest ITV News reports
One-third of children 'living with a binge drinker'
Nearly one in three children lives with a parent who is a binge drinker, research shows. Daybreak's Angela Corpe reports.
3.5 million children 'living with binge drinker'
Advertisement
Parents warned of binge drink dangers
Nearly one in three children lives with a parent who is a binge drinker, campaigners have warned.
Read the full storyThe effects of binge-drinking by parents
The misuse of alcohol by parents negatively affects the lives and harms the wellbeing of more children than does the misuse of illegal drugs, the report found.
The effects of parents alcohol misuse on children may be hidden for years, whilst children try both to cope with the impact on them, and manage the consequences for their families.
It does not concern only child protection professionals, though alcohol abuse can put children's safety at sustained, serious risk.
The problem affects large numbers of children who never come to the notice of children's social care, the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) has said.
Govt 'must tackle family alcohol abuse'
– A Government spokesmanThe earlier that help is given to vulnerable children and families, the more chance there is of turning lives around and protecting children.
Our reforms are focused on cutting unnecessary bureaucracy so professionals can identify and tackle problems as early as possible.
By overhauling the alcohol licensing laws, local communities will have more power to tackle problem pubs and clubs.
We are working with the alcohol industry which has pledged to take one billion units out of the UK's alcohol intake and introduce a minimum unit price."
One fifth of children 'living with hazardous drinkers'
- 1 in 3 of children live with at least one parent who is a binge drinker (between 3.3 - 3.5 million children).
- A fifth live a hazardous drinker (over 2.5 million children).
- Around 79,000 babies aged under 1 years old in England are living with a parent who is classified as a prolematic drinker.
- Around 26,000 babies under 1 in England are livign with a parent who would be classified as a dependent drinker.
- Binge drinking: Six or more drinks on a single occasion for women; eight for men.
Advertisement
Alcohol abuse 'a serious risk for children'
– Maggie Atkinson, Children's Commissioner for EnglandThe effects of parents' alcohol misuse on children may be hidden for years, while children try both to cope with the impact on them, and manage the consequences for their families.
It does not concern only child protection professionals, though alcohol abuse can put children's safety at sustained, serious risk.
The problem affects large numbers of children who never come to the notice of children's social care.
They should not need to do so if there are services prepared to support them and their families at an earlier stage.
One in three children 'live with binge drinking parent'
- Nearly one in three children lives with a parent who is a binge drinker, research shows.
- 3.3 million and 3.5 million children in the United Kingdom living with at least one parent who downs six or more drinks on a single occasion for women or eight for men.
- Around 93,500 babies aged under 12 months in the UK are living with a parent who is classified as a "hazardous" drinker (increasing the risk of harm to oneself or others).
- Approximately 31,000 babies under a year live with a parent who would be classified as a "dependent" drinker.
Parents warned of binge drink dangers
Parents are being warned about the dangers of binge drinking - after research found that one in three children lives with a parent who is a binge drinker.
The figure equates to between 3.3 million and 3.5 million children in the United Kingdom living with at least one parent who downs six or more drinks on a single occasion for women or eight for men.