Nearly a quarter of people in Scotland have witnessed drunken violence against children, according to a new survey by charity Children 1st.
More than half (52%) of those polled said they had seen somebody drunk in charge of a child - an offence in Scotland if the child is under ten.
And 27% admitted that they chose not to intervene, either because they thought it was none of their business or because they were unsure what to do.
Children 1st released the findings as it launched its summer holiday campaign, "Wish I Wasn't Here", which is backed by the police's Scottish Violence Reduction Unit.
A total of 23% of those who responded to the survey said they had seen someone who had been drinking being violent towads a child.
The campaign features a postcard by a boy named as "Callum", who writes about his fears about being taken away on holiday by his parents.
He says: “We’re having a BBQ at the beach, but I’m really scard. Mum’s got wine!
"What if she hits me like last time and we get taken away again? I’ve got butterflys in my tummy instead of burgers. I wish I wasn’t here!”
The Scottish Government estimates that 80,000 children in Scotland are affected by parents abusing alcohol.
Alison Todd, Deputy Chief Executive at Children 1st, said: "Days that should be filled with happiness and laughter are often ruined by aggression, violence and anger due to alcohol and children can feel the effects of this for many years.
"As a result, too many children in Scotland are losing out on their childhoods.
“If you’re concerned that a child is living with the fear of abuse and violence caused by a parent drinking too much, call ParentLine Scotland."
Chief Inspector Graham Goulden of the violence reduction unit, said: “Too many children are the victims of Scotland’s drink problem. At the VRU we are determined to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.
"Drunkenness is nothing to be proud of, not when it is harming children, ruining their summer holidays and damaging their life chances.”
ParentLine Scotland can be contacted on 08000 28 22 33 or at parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk.
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