Three happy young girls

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

It is never your fault if someone is abusing you or your children.

You are not ‘failing’ by seeking support.

Asking for help is a brave step towards safety.

Teacher working with two children, a boy and a girl

Domestic abuse can have an enormous impact on children and young people, whether as witnesses of parental violence or because of the increased risks of direct abuse to children themselves. Children have a right to live free of fear and abuse.

Here are the ways we support children and young people:

WHAT CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE TELL US

“Thank you for looking after me and Mum.” – Age 8

“I got my confidence back. I got into a relationship. I stopped being in fight or flight mode. I wouldn’t be in a relationship. I wouldn’t have any confidence. I wouldn’t feel like the ‘old me’.”

– Female age 17

“It has made me more confident to know how to ask for help. I probably wouldn’t be as knowledgeable about domestic abuse and I definitely not be able to ask for help as easily.” – Female 15

“This service made a difference in my life by helping bring out my confidence and helping me learn to reach out to people when I need to. I have also gained confidence in myself and I feel less like I need to hide my true colours.” – Male 15

“Having Nikki has taught me that I’m worth more than I think and that I can get through it, I don’t know what would’ve happened if I didn’t have Nikki as I feel she saved me. I would be in an awful toxic abusive relationship, losing myself to him.” – Age 14

“It helped me realise what my Dad did to me wasn’t normal and it’s not right and it helped me understand some things I didn’t know. I would still be confused about things and I’d still have unanswered questions.” – Male 13

“I was able to talk about things I didn’t talk about very much. I would be less educated and aware.” – Male 11

I feel more confident in myself and I feel safer after the violence and the abuse. The violence and abuse would become out of hand and I would be scared.” – Female 15

“B had a fab time at her sessions. She always wanted to go and to never leave the activity zone.”
– Mum

“Yes I like the activity zone and like the people who are my friends.”
– Age 9

“Thank you for offering and providing this service. It helps a lot.”
– Mum

“A big thank you for Child Support Worker for building such a lovely relationship with my son and giving him that space to be independent and to have fun with other children. Words cannot describe how thankful I am for you and the work you do.”
– Mum

NEED HELP NOW?
Are you in immediate danger? Call 999.  For free information and support, call our 24hr Helpline on 01296 437777.