Children's Outreach
This is a support service for children and young people who have been affected by domestic violence.
The aim of our children's outreach service is to help children and young poeple come to terms with their experiences through supportive and creative activities. We offer a safe environment for them to explore their feelings, thoughts and behaviours without fear of being blamed or judged. We also assist in developing safer coping strategies.
Effects of domestic violence on children
The effects of domestic violence vary depending on the individual, but often include:
- Living in fear, tension, isolation, intimidation and confusion
- Low self-esteem, a lack of security and a lack of self-confidence
- Feelings of guilt and shame, and a sense of responsibility for their parents' suffering
- Internalisation of feelings and being withdrawn
- Vulnerability within relationships
- Poor health and development
- Being labelled as badly behaved at school because of their poor coping abilities
what can we offer?
- Various support groups
- Individual creative play sessions
- self esteem and confidence building
- Individual and therapeutic support
- Interagencies support
- Outings
- Advocacy for families
- On going support
- Confidentiality
- Fun activities
It is our experience that children and young people want the following:
- To have a voice and be actively listened to
- To feel safe and secure within a loving environment
- To be free to be themselves and to have good health and well-being
- To receive support and understanding through difficult times
we strive to empower children and young people to gain freedom from the effects of domestic violence
If you would like further information or support in this area please contact Kate on 01642 835050,or Andrea or Gina on 01642 835082.
The Childrens Outreach Team have delivered training to Surestart and the Youth Service to enable delivery of the Expect Respect Pack which is preventative Domestic Violence programme.
Expect Respect pack is available to download free from the womens aid website. .bmp)
http://www.womensaid.org.uk/landing_page.asp?section=000100010028§ionTitle=Free+resources
How are children affected by domestic violence ?
The majority of children witness the violence that is occurring, and in 90% of cases they are in the same or next room (Hughes, 1992). Children can 'witness' domestic violence in many different ways. For example, they may get caught in the middle of an incident in an effort to make the violence stop. They may be in the room next door and hear the abuse or see their mother's physical injuries following an incident of violence. They may be forced to stay in one room or may not be allowed to play. They may be forced to witness sexual abuse or they may be forced to take part in verbally abusing the victim. All children witnessing domestic violence are being emotionally abused.
Are the effects the same for every child?
Children can experience both short and long term cognitive, behavioural and emotional effects as a result of witnessing domestic abuse. Each child will respond differently to trauma and some may be resilient and not exhibit any negative effects.
Children's responses to the trauma of witnessing DV may vary according to a multitude of factors including, but not limited to, age, race, sex and stage of development. It is equally important to remember that these responses may also be caused by something other than witnessing domestic violence, and therefore a thorough assessment of a child's situation is vital.
Children are individuals and may respond to witnessing abuse in different ways. These are some of the effects described in a briefing by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2004):
- They may become anxious or depressed
- They may have difficulty sleeping
- They have nightmares or flashbacks
- They can be easily startled
- They may complain of physical symptoms such as tummy aches
- They may start to wet their bed
- They may have temper tantrums
- They may behave as though they are much younger than they are
- They may have problems with school
- They may become aggressive or they may internalise their distress and withdraw from other people
- They may have a lowered sense of self-worth
- Older children may begin to play truant or start to use alcohol or drugs
- They may begin to self-harm by taking overdoses or cutting themselves
- They may have an eating disorder
Children may also feel angry, guilty, insecure, alone, frightened, powerless or confused. They may have ambivalent feelings towards both the abuser and the non-abusing parent.