Children & Young People

Specialised Services for Children & Young People

We provide specialist, one-to-one trauma informed therapeutic and emotional support, group work and healthy relationships programmes for children and young people aged 8-18 experiencing domestic abuse.

Over 30% of domestic abuse starts during pregnancy. In 90% of incidents children are in same or adjacent room when violence happens. For every incident we know the impact on children can be devastating.

Last year Women’s Aid ABCLN supported 335 children living with domestic abuse across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey.

One To One Therapeutic Support For Children

When children affected by domestic abuse are given a safe place, where their voice can be heard, they are listened to and believed, they build resilience and are better able to cope with the trauma they have experienced.

Domestic Abuse Specialists support children and young people through creative and therapeutic sessions to:

Recognise what they are experiencing is domestic abuse, and its impact
Increase understanding about healthy and unhealthy relationships
Identify their own personal support networks and safety planning
Build their confidence and self-esteem
Improve their mental health and well-being
Manage emotions and increase resilience
Equip them with strategies to cope with trauma faced

Prevention & Education

Our specialist team provide prevention and education programmes and facilitated group work sessions for children and young people focusing on healthy relationships including Heading for Healthy Relationships - Primary School & Post-Primary School programme, All About Me, Helping Hands & Bully Busters.

Our groups and courses aim to increase understanding and awareness about domestic abuse; challenge harmful attitudes and beliefs; enable young people to recognise when a relationship has the potential to become abusive; and empower them to make informed choices and be safe.

Children and young people will explore issues through group discussions, exercises and play - increasing confidence and self-esteem, promoting positive mental health and well-being, enabling them to restore hope and recover from the trauma they have experienced.

Voices Groups work with children and young people to raise awareness, provide support and give young people a safe place to have their voices heard.

Children’s Voices

"I couldn’t sleep because I seen the bad things"

“My worker listened to me and helped me”

“She took my worries away in a rocket”

"Now I feel safe and feel happy”

"The games where really cool"

"I loved the arts and crafts"

"I now know who my safe adults are"