Information for Children and Young People

"If you, or a friend are living with domestic violence you probably just want to know how to make it stop.  You need to keep safe and understand that it’s not your fault that this happens. "

Here are some websites or phone numbers that might be able to help you, and you don’t have to give them your name:  

  • The Hideout: http://www.thehideout.org.uk/
  • This is a site specially for children and young people living with domestic violence 
  • Childline: 0800 1111 
  • Chalky 0808 808 5678
  • Northern Ireland Children’s Law Centre, for advice and information 
  • 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline  0800 917 1414 

Keep Safe 

Firstly – you can’t try to protect someone being attacked, it’s dangerous and you might get hurt yourself.   

Phone the police.  They will ask you for your name and address and to tell them what is happening.  If you can’t phone from your own home, go to a neighbour’s.   

Find a safe place, in your home, away from what’s happening so you don’t get hurt too.   

Tell someone you trust about what is going on and ask them if they will help you. 

Support for Children and Young People

children

Individual or group work programmes are offered, which are needs-led and are centrally focused on supporting children and young people.   

Our programmes aim to build children and young people’s self esteem and confidence, and enable them to participate in a group. Programmes also help children and young people to identify their own personal support network. The emphasis is on learning through fun activities and group discussion.

Available programmes 

Helping Hands
Duration: 8 weeks Age 7-11 
Core themes:

    1. We all have the right to feel safe all the time;
    2. Nothing is so awful (or so big or so small) that we cannot talk about it with someone
    3. Others have the right to feel safe around us. 

Transformers … Heading for Healthy Relationships … Bullybusters

Women’s Aid have offices in Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey, and we have staff that will be able to help you and your mum.  There are people you can talk to, who will understand all sorts of issues you might have, groups you can come along to where there will be other children who have had similar experiences to you, and we even have days out.  

TRANSFORMERS 1

Duration: 10 weeks
Age: 8-12 years

This programme is for children who have experienced domestic violence within the home. It aims to help children explore their thoughts and feelings on domestic violence and equip them with safety planning for their future.

Core themes

  • What is domestic violence and its effects?
  • Recognising feelings: happy, sad, angry etc
  • Protection planning
  • Self-esteem

TRANSFORMERS 2

Duration: 10 weeks
Age: 13-17 years
This programme aims to help young people explore and discuss their own experiences of Domestic Violence within a safe and supported group.

Core themes

  • What is abuse?
  • Bullying
  • Relationships (healthy and abusive)
  • Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  • Keeping Secrets
  • Protecting Ourselves

BULLYBUSTERS

Duration: 5 weeks
Age: 8-12 years
This programme provides young people with the opportunity to discuss bullying. It aims to promote self-esteem and confidence building, develop talking and listening skills and identify support networks.

Core themes

  • What is Bullying?
  • Why does Bullying Happen?
  • Self-esteem
  • Support Networks

HEADING FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Duration: 6-8 weeks
Age: 14-19 years
This programme raises awareness and understanding of a healthy, non-violent relationship.  It explores topical issues around unwritten rules, self-esteem and confidence, relationships, support networks, dating violence and domestic violence.  The programme also aims to enable young people to make informed choices about their lives and how to recognise when a relationship has the potential to become abusive. 

Click here to download the leaflet as a PDF