Parents are being urged to think twice about drinking over the New Year after a survey showed the impact of alcohol on parent-child relationships.

The study by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruetly to Children found that parents drinking was cited in nearly a quarter of cases of child neglect, and 13% of cases involving emotional abuse.

Drinking was also said to be factor in a tenth of cases of physical abuse and 5% of sexual abuse.

The finding emerged from a study of 2,234 calls about child abuse and neglect taken from an NSPCC telephone helpline.

Merriment for some can cause misery for others

But the figures may even underestimate the true scale of the problem, said the NSPCC.

Ian Elliott, the charity's child protection team manager in Foyle, Northern Ireland, said: "Children can be very loyal to parents who are drinking heavily. They help to hide the problem and often feel that somehow they are to blame. Alcohol misuse is present in two out of every three families we work with, but often comes out only after we have been working with the families for some time."

NSPCC director Jim Harding said "I am asking all parents and carers to make a New Year's resolution to drink responsibly in 1998 - and to take action now if they feel their drinking could lead to violence against or neglect of the children."

He said many people who would not drive or operate machinery after having had a drink would nevertheless be prepared to look after children.

Meanwhile a report by the Children's Society says more children will run away in January than any other month.

Last year, the charity's own figure for runaways rose by 35% at its safe house in Leeds.

The society reported that the number of calls from children under the age of 13 doubled in 1997 and says it is having to help younger and younger children with problems ranging from sexual and physical abuse to bullying.
 

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