GROUPS that support children at risk of domestic abuse have been awarded funding worth £120,000.

The package from Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, is designed to help families during a time of heightened exposure to abuse.

By providing money to cover counselling services, education programmes, helplines and intervention services, the commissioner hopes to ensure young people do not become the forgotten victims.

She said: “There are young children who are scared and frightened. You can try and protect them but they can hear stuff downstairs, some even try to stop it themselves. They can be left traumatised by the raised voices and violence that happens in what should be their safe place, their home.”