"Disruption and violence is a way of life for a number of families, but many children manage to rise above it."                Carufion (1991)

Every child and young person's experience of domestic violence will be different and a child will utilise different coping mechanisms to deal with the situation.

Experiencing domestic violence means that children and young people are exposed to, and affected by, a range of abusive behaviours.

Therefore support is crucial in the overall process of empowering children and young people.

Background of the Project

This is an innovative three year project funded by Children in Need, developing partnerships between Women's Aid and other voluntary and statutory bodies to facilitate and establish a new service. It aims to strengthen existing services for chilren and young people.

Aims of the Project

• To give children and young people a voice through therapeutic play either in a group or a one-to-one setting.
• To offer a support service to 'children in need' to help them express their feelings and deal with their experiences.
• To develop a Multi-Agency approach.
• To work closely with mum in order to be effective in working with the child.
• To create opportunities for children and young people to access help, support and information to make positive choices in their lives.
• To contribute to educational opportunities available to children and young people.

Why encourage children to talk about their experience of domestic violence?

• To identify and deal with their feelings.
• To recognise it's okay to have those feelings.
• To reassure them that others feel the same.
• To increase their self-esteem.
• To build trusting relationships.
• To empower children and young people to deal with the situation.

How to make a referral :

For further details on this project, or to make a referral, contact :

Education and Prevention Worker

Tel: (028) 2563 2136

Work can be carried out :

• In the child's home
• Family centre
• Other designated centre

Learning Opportunities For Children

Helping Hands 

This is a 10 week programme for boys and girls aged 7-11 years.  The pack is based on 3 core themes

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

Each session will last for two hours.  The overall aim is to build children's self confidence and self esteem and enable them to participate in a group.  The emphasis is on learning through fun activities and group discussion.  There will also be opportunities to draw, paint, make masks etc.

No Fear

"No Fear" aims to promote the importance of healthy realtionships through education. It is a programme of  6 weekly one and a half hour sessions.  Open to boys and girls aged 14-16 years.

During the programme we seek to

• Educate young people in recognising what constitutes a healthy relationship.
• Promote positive mental health and well being.
• Increase understanding of feeling safe.
• Explore and promote behaviours which will contribute to a safe environment.
• Develop self esteem and confidence.
• Increase abilities in safety planning.
• Identify healthy ways to manage conflict.
• Enable young people to identify their own support network.

Transformers

This is a 10 week programme for boys and girls aged 8-12 years who have experienced Domestic Violence within the home.

Each session will last 2 hours and the overall aim is to help children explore their thoughts and feelings on Domestic Violence and to eqip them with safety planning for their future.

The emphasis is on learning through fun activities, which include drawing, making masks, using puppets etc.

Topics covered include

• What is Domestic violence?
• Feelings? Happy, Sad & Angry
• Protection Planning
• Self esteem and self confidence

Information on all these courses can be obtained from our Resource Centre or direct from our Community Based Children and Young Persons Worker.