26th November: Carers Rights Day
Today is our first crossover day! Throughout the 16 Days of Activism there are several other national awareness days and so we want to reflect on what connections there might be between each one and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
Each year Carers UK holds Carers Rights Day to bring organisations across the UK together to help carers in their local community know their rights and find out how to get the help and support they are entitled to (see our links in the chat for support links).
There are different types of caring responsibilities. Children and young people who look after a parent or relative who is ill, physically or mentally disabled, drug dependant or an alcoholic are known as young carers. The full extent of young caring in the UK is hard to gauge as many young carers go unidentified and some are fearful of intrusion or unwelcome intervention into family life. Young carers may be particularly vulnerable as they may not be receiving the level or quality of parenting that would normally be expected due to the limited capacities of their own carer; and may be spending a considerable period of their time caring, leaving limited time and energy for other activities.
Young Carers can be vulnerable to lots of different types of gender-based violence from domestic abuse (in the home or within their own relationships), exploitation and grooming to harmful practices.
We want to shoutout to an amazing local organisation: Barking and Dagenham Young Carers . They offer chat and advice, a wide range of support through friendly support workers, outings and events, connection to other young carers, help with tutors and future planning. They have been a regular and consistent member of the Domestic Abuse Operational Forum in the borough and have actively sought out support for their young carers.
Would you know how to spot the signs a Young Carer might be experiencing gender-based violence? Please add your views below!
Some useful support links:
Barking and Dagenham Young Carers
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services