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Domestic violence effects thousands of children in the UK and worldwide.
During 2003/4 a massive 23,084 children were accommodated and supported within refuges.
Facts & figures
● Each week one child will be killed by their parent.
● In 3 out of 5 cases where children had suffered physical abuse, neglect, or emotional abuse, the mother had been subjected to violence from their male partner.
● Almost 2000 children per year contact childline due to domestic violence.
● At least 750,000 children a year witness domestic violence.
● Children who witness domestic violence are 24 times more likely to be sexually abused.
Children are often known as the hidden victims of domestic violence. Yet they are a witnesses to 90% of domestic violence incidents. A large number of children suffer direct physical harm and other psychological damage. Children’s responses to witnessing domestic violence will vary according to a multitude of factors including but not limited to age, race, and sex.
Neglect and isolation is often an issue for a young person. In most cases the victim will try and hide the abuse from their children but even this has devastating effects. Parents experiencing abuse, who are the main carers, are at times unable to meet their children’s needs, leaving them to manage their own needs.
A young person could feel responsible for the abuse and try to protect the parent who is the victim. A child brought up in a domestic violence situation will identify with either the victim or abuser. A child could feel confused about their feelings towards the abuser and could also feel angry at the victim for not doing anything about it.
There are some effects which are common in children experiencing domestic violence:
● Becoming anxious or depressed
● Difficulty in sleeping/having flashbacks of abuse/having nightmares
● Feeling confused and difficulty in remembering things
● Bed wetting
● Increase in temper tantrums
● Problems with school performance
● Exercise aggressive behavior towards siblings
● Older children may not want to go to school as way of protecting the parent from being abused
● Start using alcohol or drugs
● Self harm which can be anything from cutting or taking an overdose
● May develop eating disorder
It is recognised that children and young people have their own individual issues and a number of support agencies are available to offer support. The impacts of domestic violence is huge, however, it can be greatly reduced if appropriate intervention to support young people is available at an earlier stage.
If you are concerned about the effects of domestic violence on your children, or if you are a young person witnessing violence within the home, then you can call the helpline numbers from the list who will be able to offer advice and support.
The Advice and Assessment Team, Children’s Services in Bury on 0161 253 5454
Councilling Direct 0161 253 6337 / 6341/ 5891( Offers a safe and confidential environment councilling service to young people from 5 - 25 years who live in the borough and surrounding areas)
Bury Public Protection Investigation Unit on 0161 856 8064
Child Helplines:
Freephone Childline on 0800 1111
The NSPCC for support and guidance on 0808 800 5000
NSPCC Asian child Protection Helplines:
Urdu advisors on 0800 096 7718
English speaking Asian advisors on 0800 096 7719
Bengali speaking advisors on 0800 096 7714
The hideout is a women’s aid website which provides help and support to children and young people living with domestic violence. You can visit the website here: The Hideout web site