The cycle of domestic violence can be broken
Anne Longfield
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
An incidence of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute of every day. This disturbing fact gives us a sense of the number of children who experience or witness abuse as part of their home environment.
Children who live in households in which abuse takes place often struggle with a range of psychological issues, from feelings of insecurity and fear to frustration and guilt. Many of these children's futures depend on specialist professionals who are qualified to deal with their complex needs and help them grow into adulthood.
The Children and Young People programme, developed by a partnership comprising Women's Aid, Children in Need and other third sector bodies, works through discussion and therapeutic play to support children affected by domestic violence to express their feelings.
The Helping Hands component of the programme works with seven- to 11-year-olds over a 10-week period and uses art to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Meanwhile, the No Fear project provides support to teenagers through education on healthy relationships and group discussion on effective conflict resolution and other relationship issues that they can apply to their own home lives and to future adult relationships. In both components, the emphasis is on discussing freely the impact of domestic violence and the right of children and young people to be safe, secure and free from harm.
A strategic approach is demonstrated by the Bolton Domestic Abuse Partnership, which has developed a four-year local strategy to escalate and extend its work in combating domestic abuse. Since 2003 the organisation has been delivering several projects that work together to break cycles of domestic abuse and help families regain control over their lives.
The partnership provides training days for almost 2,000 frontline workers to help develop their awareness of domestic abuse issues. More than 1,700 of these workers have gone on to be accredited for skills developments, enabling them to offer personalised support to victims. Full-time outreach workers, provided by the Safe Haven project, demonstrate the hands-on support provided to families, including one-to one and whole family group work.
Sadly, domestic violence affects the lives of many children. But thanks to the efforts of these specialist organisations, thousands are able to access the help and support they need to go on and become happy and successful adults. That is why positive local support should be made widely accessible in all local communities to help children living with domestic violence.
