It can have a huge impact on the lives of young people. Be prepared, with the quick guide.
1. As trusted adults who work at building relationships with young people, youth workers are likely candidates for young people to confide in about problems at home. That can include telling of violent incidents or an atmosphere of threats. Be prepared to listen carefully and respond helpfully if a young person tells you about it. Most adults argue sometimes, and that can worry children. But it may have more serious implications - so follow the usual practice of listening without judgment. Let a young person know they have done the right thing in talking about it.
2. Get rid of any preconceptions about the kinds of families domestic violence is likely to occur in. Highly educated, comfortably off and outwardly respectable men can be controlling and abusive. No class, age, sex, culture, religious or ethnic group is immune from violence. Do not assume anything.
3. Youth workers who get the idea that they can help by having a word with the perpetrator of violence should think again. It is a seriously bad idea, only likely to make things worse for those on the receiving end of the violence. Be aware that violent incidents are likely to have been repeated and well established by the time you hear about them. Do not do anything you are not very well trained for - just support the young person.
4. It is easy, and wrong, to make assumptions that young people who grow up in violent households are likely to be violent themselves. Some will, some won't. If young people have seen that exercising power gets violent people their own way, they may copy it. On the other hand, some see the effects and swear never to do anything like it themselves. Forget trying to second-guess what might happen. But do consider offering general sessions on parenting, on anger management, or positive ways to sort out relationship problems if they seem appropriate.
5. Wise up in advance so that you are prepared for any disclosures about domestic violence. That means finding out about local facilities, from counselling services to refuges. Check your organisation's policies and follow guidelines and procedures. Know your personal limitations and those of your organisation. If you refer young people on to specialists, do not stop offering the youth work support.
6. There is a useful guide for professionals working with young people affected by domestic violence produced by Birmingham Women's Aid, available at www.freefromfear.org/adults.php?id=239. A web site for young people to use, which includes the option of hiding the visit and shows ways to remove the visit from a computer's history, is at www.thehideout.org.uk.
