TRICIA recalls that in the household where she and her siblings grew up, abuse and violence were always alcohol-related.

Every night, their father would go to the pub, spend all his earnings, and then come home late.

Often, she remembers: "He proceeded to get us out of bed, line us up and tell us what was good and bad about each one".

The middle of the night brought other torments. Sometimes they would be awakened and made to sing songs, which he would tape-record. On other occasions, when he was angry, she says he would "get us all together and terrify us".

She and the other children used to hate him coming home: "He'd hit my mother and she'd try to defend us, and if we said or did something he didn't like he'd beat us with his belt."

There were times when he had spent all his money on drink, and her mother would take them to their grandparents for food. Tricia, from West Lothian, has found it impossible to forgive her father for all this.

"I don't think he ever really acknowledged what he'd done to us. No regret, no sorry. Even when arguing with my mother and beating her, he thought because we were in bed we wouldn't hear anything. I think a lot of people make that mistake."

At present, there are children living in family environments similar to Tricia's childhood household. The terror, abuse and neglect they live with too often goes unrecognised.

However, it is not only child-protection professionals who can do something to bring such sufferings to notice and help. The public can too, through the NSPCC helpline which will benefit from money given to The Herald's Christmas fundraising appeal this year. Fiona Stevenson, senior consultant for NSPCC Scotland's child protection consultancy and training division, says all of us have a role: "It isn't the responsibility of 'someone', it's the responsibility of everyone."

"People are often dissuaded from speaking out by the sense that it's 'telling tales', so we need to re-write that script. What you could, in fact, be doing is saving a child from misery.

"No-one wants to make a mistake that would harm a child or family, but that can't stop us from listening to our gut feeling. If a child is vulnerable they could be wholly reliant on an adult being brave enough to speak out."

Calls to the NSPCC helpline from members of the public, have, in recent years, reported a wide range of concerns: from worries over an unhealthy-looking baby to observations of violence.

Between April 2012 and April 2013, the NSPCC's helpline responded to 1,920 contacts from people in Scotland. More than 1,150 of these contacts resulted in referrals to children's services or the police. Most of these calls came from the public, rather than family members or professionals.

Neglect was the leading cause of referrals. In around one quarter of cases, people had waited more than six months before getting in touch. For that time, a child's suffering may have continued.

Ms Stevenson said: "Any adult who needs advice and support about concerns for a child can contact us before it escalates into something more serious."

Such a call could have helped Tricia. She said: "To anyone - parent or child - experiencing an abusive family relationship I would say to reach out for support. NSPCC Scotland and its ChildLine service are there to help."

l Anyone worried about a child, or in need of support, can contact the NSPCC on 0808 8005000, text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.