4.7 Supporting Young Carers when there is Domestic Violence within the Family |
This is a new chapter for November 2010
OTHER RELEVANT CHAPTERS
Tell someone. Doesn't matter what's happening. Tell someone. The adults should deal with it, not you. Get it sorted out and get out if you can. That's really important.` (Mullender et al)
Contents
1. Background
This information has been sourced form SCIE research briefing 25 on Children's and Young People's Experiences of Domestic Violence.
This information is aimed at any practitioner that is likely to come into contact with a child/young person who maybe living in a family where domestic violence is occurring, and that child is caring for siblings and/or the non abusing parent as a result of the abusive relationship between their parents, and/or is emotionally effected by their concern and fears for the non abusing parent.
Children have the right to be confident that responses to disclosures will be sensitive, safe and child-centred. There are barriers, however, that may prevent children and young people seeking support. These include fear of the consequences of telling for themselves, their family and their community and/or fear that their views will not be valued and respected.
It is aimed to raise awareness and provide useful signposting to organisations and websites that will support the practitioner to be aware of the impact of Domestic Violence on a child/young person, and supportive responses to their disclosures.
It does not seek to provide information relating to issues of child protection and if there are concerns about a child you should activate your agencies' child protection procedures in line with the government Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance.
Domestic violence is identified within Every Child Matters (the Government's approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19), as a cause of vulnerability in children which has a negative impact on children's ability to achieve their full potential across the five outcomes.
90% of children are in the same or next room when violence occurs (Hughes 1992)
Children experiencing domestic violence often miss school or cannot concentrate because they are worried about what may happen to their non abusing parent . They maybe taking on an inappropriate caring role with their siblings and or the non abusing parent.
Domestic violence can have an impact on every aspect of a child's life, but the impact on a particular child varies greatly and will be dependent upon the total context of the child and their environment. Children react in different ways, are exposed to different levels of violence and have different support systems. It is important that services recognise and build on the strengths in the child's social system and personal characteristics and work to reduce the impact on the child's present and long term well-being.
Domestic violence affects women from all ethnic groups, and there is no evidence to suggest that women from some ethnic or cultural communities are any more at risk than others. However, the form the abuse takes may vary; in some communities, for example, domestic violence may be perpetrated by extended family members, or it may include forced marriage, or female genital mutilation. Women from Black or minority ethnic communities may also be more isolated, or may have to overcome religious and cultural pressures, and they may be afraid of bringing shame onto their 'family honour'.
Where domestic violence is accompanied by parental mental ill-health or drug or alcohol abuse these will also affect the impact on the child.
In families where there is domestic violence, children are frequently abused by the violent parent and this can have very damaging long term effects on their mental health, sense of identity and ability to form relationships. Other common effects on children's health include anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares and bedwetting. For young people there are increased risks of self-harm, drug and alcohol misuse and running away from home.
The UNCRC sets out obligations for listening to children and young people and promoting protective and participatory rights. There is now an awareness of the importance of listening to children's perspectives in order to understand fully the complexity of their lives with resulting developments in law, policy and practice which seek to raise the profile of children's voices.
For children and young people involved in the child protection system, independent advocates can play an important role in supporting their attendance at child protection case conferences or in accessing a range of services. Advocates can ensure that young people understand what is happening and will explore their wishes and feelings. They will work with young people to identify ways in which their views may be presented to the conference, or may speak on the child's behalf. Self-advocacy may also be supported through the production of a 'wish-list' or helping children to produce their own report for the conference.
Children have the right to protection from harm and the right to talk about their concerns when they are living with domestic violence.
Children and young people can make important contributions to assessments of need and risk and have the right to be made aware of violence prevention strategies or sources of support that may help them to cope with violence at home.
They should be encouraged to seek informal support from their extended family, their friends and their community networks, if appropriate, as well as from adults in authority such as teachers, doctors, social workers and advocates.
Below is a useful list of both local resources and national organisations that are committed to ensuring that children/young people are believed, listened to and have a supportive effective response from practitioners involved in their lives.
2. Domestic Violence Support Groups and Organisations
In an emergency situation always call 999
| Lewisham Victim Support |
Practical advice and support. Also provides a list of local solicitors. 300 Sangley Road T: 020 8698 4583 |
| Women Against Domestic Violence |
Advice, counselling and advocacy. 170 Community Project T: 020 7252 8518 / 020 7732 9716 |
| Lewisham Community Safety Team |
T: 020 8314 7531 |
| TRYangle |
A domestic violence intervention programme for men who want to end their violent or abusive behaviour towards a partner. T: 020 8855 7564 |
| Women and Girls Network |
Counselling, information and advice for women who have experienced any type of gendered violence at any time in their lives. Helpline: 020 7610 4345 Monday, Friday and Saturday: 10am-1pm Office: 020 7610 4678 |
| Broken Rainbow |
Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experiencing domestic violence. Tel: 0300 999 5428 Monday 2pm-8pm, Wednesday 10am-1pm, Thursday 2pm-8pm |
| Mankind |
Support for male victims of domestic violence Tel: 01823 334 244 Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, 7pm-9pm National Domestic Violence Helpline Tel: 0808 2000 247 National Victim Support Tel: 0845 303 0900 |
| Imkaan |
Support for Asian, black, minority ethnic and refugee women. Tindle Manor T: 020 7250 3933 Email: admin@imkaan.org.uk |
| Southall Black Sisters |
Advice for black and Asian women by phone or by appointment at offices. 21 Avenue Road T: 020 8571 9595 |
| Respect Phone Line |
Advice and information on perpetrator programmes T: 0845 122 8609 Monday to Friday: 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm Respect Phone line for male victims of domestic violence T: 0808 801 0327 Monday to Friday: 10am-1pm |
| Women's Aid |
| Women's Aid is a key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. It supports a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK. Its helpline is run in conjunction with Refuge. |
| Refuge |
| Refuge's network of safe houses provides emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need. Some are for women from particular ethnic or cultural backgrounds. The charity also provides outreach services to women in their own homes and a 24-hour helpline run in conjunction with Women's Aid. They also produce responses to legislation and policy where this relates to violence toward women and children. |
| Childline |
ChildLine is the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn. Almost 2,000 children a year contact ChildLine due to domestic violence problems24 hour line for children. T: 0800 1111 |
| Barnardo's |
Founded in 1867, Barnardo's is a charity which originally ran residential homes and orphanages but now uses the knowledge gained from direct work with children to campaign for better childcare policy and to champion the rights of every child. |
| Children's Rights Alliance for England |
| CRAE is an alliance of over 180 organisations committed to children's human rights. It is a registered charity, which supports and works in partnership with children and young people so that they can learn about and use their rights. |
| Royal College of Psychiatrists |
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The College makes available online fact sheets, including one on domestic violence and its effects on children (Mental Health and Growing Up series). |
| NSPCC |
The NSPCC is a charity which lobbies and campaigns for better laws and policies to protect children. Of particular interest to readers of this briefing is the link to domestic violence information and helpline details in both English and minority languages. |
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