Children and domestic abuse- 27th November
The NSPCC reports that since the introduction of national lockdown measures, the number of contacts to the NSPCC helpline from people concerned about children living in homes with domestic abuse rose by 49 per cent.
NSPCC is able to raise safeguarding concerns for those children to make sure they are connected to local support services. Often safeguarding makes people think of social services and people might think children will be taken away. Here in Barking and Dagenham our Children’s Care and Support service are adopting the Safe and Together approach – keeping children safe and together with the non-abusing parent and working with the abusive parent to make the changes required to keep the child safe.
We have just started training our social workers on this model as we can see that partnering with and supporting the person being abused means we will be better able to keep the children safe.
Children will be seen as victims in their own right if they witness or hear domestic abuse, since the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. 16- and 17-year-olds will also be classed as victims of domestic abuse under the act.
It is harrowing to think of children and young people experiencing abuse, but we must, as the impacts of domestic abuse are huge, and we all have a part to play in keeping children safe. You can learn more at the resource’s links posted in the chat.
What opportunities do you think there are to keep children safe from violence and abuse?
Support links: