The spot, "break the cycle", by Bartle Bogle Hegarty, is aimed at showing how child abuse can lead to a downward spiral for the victim.
A spokeswoman for the Advertising Standards Authority confirmed that it had received more than 400 complaints about the ad.
She said the body would investigate the spot under taste and decency rules.
The ad was given a post-9pm watershed restriction when it was released.
In 2007, Barnardo's escaped censure for its controversial "f**k off" campaign, which went on to win a number of awards, including at the inaugural ±±¾©Èü³µpk10 Big Awards.
.jpg)
.jpg)