Children and young people

Children and young people

Living with domestic abuse in a climate of uncertainty and fear can affect children in many different ways as they grow up.

Impact on children

Despite best efforts to shield and protect children from the domestic abuse that is going on at home, in the vast majority of cases, children of all ages will witness the abuse and be aware of it and effected by it.

Witnessing domestic abuse can mean:

actually seeing the violence by being in the same room or possibly trying to intervene in it, or forced to take part in it.
hearing the violence and abuse.
observing the aftermath of the abuse (bruises, blood, broken furniture, torn clothes etc.).

Further, children who are growing up in families with domestic abuse are more likely to be being physically or sexually abused directly by the perpetrator as well.

We can help

DVR can advise you on the different supports and services that are available for children and parents.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 and domestic abuse is happening in your home it is important that you know that adult domestic abuse is never your fault and it is not your job to fix it.

You are not alone, domestic abuse happens in many families and there are people and services that you can turn to that can help you and your family. Here are some safe sites that will help you find the information and support you need.

Parenting in the aftermath of domestic abuse

Many issues arise for women who are coping with parenting in the aftermath of domestic abuse.

These include:

Re-establishing parental control in the aftermath of domestic abuse.
Establishing violent free homes and interrupting intergenerational violence.
Learning to navigate access and parenting issues with a violent and emotionally abusive partner.
Dealing with the negative impact of domestic abuse including impact on children who identify with the abuser and who direct violence and controlling behaviour towards the women.
Children negatively impacted by the abuse who identify with the women and become her sole source of emotional support.

Focusing on these issues, Parenting in the aftermath of domestic abuse is a six week programme designed to help women create violent free homes, interrupt intergenerational violence and equip women to re-establish parental control.

See more

Children and Parents

DVR can advise you on the different supports and services that are available for your children.

Domestic abuse and coercive control

If we know the signs of an abusive relationship we may be better able to recognise and respond appropriately.

Older and vulnerable women

Women can suffer domestic abuse at any age.