CHILDREN at threat of abuse in the Borders are being let down by the system, according to officers assigned to protect them.

So far this financial year Scottish Borders Council’s Safer Communities team has logged 684 reported incidents of domestic abuse.

And they believe around one in three cases involves violence.

Almost 200 children have witnessed abuse this year with only a small fraction logged onto the at-risk register.

And many others, where parents won’t co-operate with case workers, are not even on the radar.

Domestic abuse co-ordinator Andrea Beavon said: “Every time we receive a referral we will attempt to make contact with the victim.

“There are instances where we don’t have a telephone number for them and we have to be careful that we don’t become part of the problem by just turning up.

“We can’t keep forcing ourselves on people if they don’t respond - we could be putting them at further risk.” It is estimated that around eight per cent of all referrals to the Safer Communities team fail to be fully investigated due to a lack of co-operation. The number of Borders children on the Protection Register has gone up from nine to 11 over the past year.

Ms Beavon added: “A lot of children are living in families where abuse is going on.

“Children don’t automatically appear on the Register when domestic abuse is happening - it is only when we believe there is actual risk to them.” Councillors on the Safer Communities Board fear that many children are slipping through the net.

Councillor George Turnbull said: “We are going through such huge changes within the council and other organisations that you worry serious cases are being missed.

“Everyone is under so much pressure these days that mistakes will happen and children at risk of abuse will not be protected.” Fellow councillor Sandy Aitchison added: “The eight per cent is a worry for me. We don’t know what is happening in these households.” The local authority’s Safer Communities team and Police Scotland work closely to identify victims and potential victims.

And the region’s pioneering Pathway Project, which involves the local authority, Police Scotland, charities and the voluntary sector, has already supported more than 430 victims in its first year.

As well as a Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service for short-term crisis intervention and support, the Project offers a Community Support Service, and a specialist Abuse Recovery group for children.

A total of 103 children were referred to the Pathway service with 77 agreeing to take part.

John Scott from the Safer Communities team said: “There is a collective approach to protect children.

“Every time a police officer goes into a house and there is a concern for a child it will be logged with us.

“We work very hard to keep people safe.” The Scottish Government hosted a summit this week on protecting children.

Ministers, police, local authorities and children’s charities met in Edinburgh to discuss how they can work together to ensure child protection policies are robust.

Education Secretary Angela Constance said: “The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a priority for this Government and an issue we take extremely seriously.” To speak with someone in confidence about domestic abuse call the Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support Service on 01835 825024.