Safe Browsing
Living in a home where domestic abuse happens has a serious impact on a child’s, young persons, or adolescent’s mental health, physical wellbeing, educational attainment, and their behaviour.
It is estimated that between 800,000 to a million children are currently living in homes where their parent is experiencing domestic abuse (Barnados). The Domestic Abuse Act (2021) recognises children as victims in their own right and that there is an urgent need to ensure that they are safe and can access appropriate support.
There are many misconceptions around the parent who is experiencing abuse and their ability to keep their children ‘safe’. Decisions that a survivor/victim may make are focussed around keeping their children safe and that in most incidents when suitable, specialist support is offered that will be the reason why many who are enduring domestic abuse will decide to leave. The responsibility of the abuse must always sit with the person causing the harm.
It is important to remember that domestic abuse does not end at the point of separation and that the risk of significant harm, stalking and other forms of abuse may drastically increase and continue for years after separation.
If a child talks to you about domestic abuse
- Listen carefully to what they’re telling you,
- Reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you
- Tell them (repeatedly) that it is not their fault
- Remind them that you believe them
- Do not confront the abuser and reassure the child that you won’t
- Explain what you will do next, listen to, and offer understanding around their fear of more people knowing
- Talk (report) to the correct professional as soon as possible, involving the non-abusive parent in this process as much as is safe to do so.
