Support for children affected by domestic abuse

How children can be affected

Short-term effects

For young children this can include: 

• bed-wetting 
• increased sensitivity and crying
• difficulty sleeping or falling asleep 
• separation anxiety

For school aged children this can include: 

• a loss of interest to get involved in activities and school
• lower grades in school
• feeling guilty and to blame for the abuse happening to them
• getting into trouble more often
• physical signs such as headaches and stomach aches

For teenagers this can include:

• acting out in negative ways such as missing school or fighting with family members
• having low self-esteem
• finding it difficult to make friends
• engaging in risky behaviours such as using alcohol and other drugs

Long-term effects

• mental health issues, such as becoming anxious or depressed. Low mental health can also lead to big impacts on physical health, including self-harm or developing an eating disorder
• having a lowered sense of self-worth
• using alcohol and other drugs as unhealthy coping mechanisms
• repeating behaviours seen in their domestic setting

Support is available

Harbour

The law recognises that a child who sees, hears or experiences the effects of domestic abuse and is related one of the people involved, is a victim of domestic abuse themselves. Harbour supports families and individuals who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner or other family member.

They provide children and young people with an opportunity to have someone listen to their experiences and help them to deal with their feelings. Each child or young person's support is different and is tailored to meet individual needs.

Operation Encompass

Children and young people who witness domestic abuse are often deeply affected. Going to school in the straight after this happens means they will often arrive upset and unprepared. It also can often mean that teachers are not aware of their situation.

Through Operation Encompass, we work with local police and schools to share information about domestic abuse incidents, making sure that a key adult at school is made aware early enough to support a child or young person in the best way possible. Schools will receive information before the start of the next school day when:

• police have attended a domestic abuse incident
• a youngster of school age is present in the household at the time of the incident, either in the same or a separate room
• the incident has been assessed to be a high or medium risk incident of domestic abuse

Operation Encompass does not replace existing safeguarding procedures that are already in place - it is designed to support them.