England
In England alone, 750,000 children a year witness domestic abuse (Department of Health, 2002). In 30 to 60 per cent of cases across England and Wales, the abusive partner is also abusing children in the family (DoH, 2009).
Domestic abuse is defined as violent, controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour by intimate partners or family members. It can be psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional and refer to a single incident or a long pattern of coercion and control (Home Office, 2013).
Seeing, hearing or living in fear of abuse, or being surrounded by controlling behaviour, can cause a child lasting emotional, social, intellectual and physical harm. Children who witness abuse are more likely to abuse or be abused as adults, to misuse drugs and alcohol and to have unintended pregnancies, mental health issues and attempt suicide (Bellis, 2014; Dube, 2001).
DUTY OF CARE
Early years practitioners have a vital role in promoting safe and supportive environments in which children can learn and thrive, and a duty of care in keeping children from harm.
Safeguarding training can help professionals identify and respond to a child who may be experiencing domestic abuse - and, importantly, feel confident in doing so. However, children may internalise or externalise behaviours, so it is not always easy to identify the signs. Tell-tale behaviours, however, may include:
- being easily startled or hyper-vigilant
- aggression and temper tantrums
- bed wetting and sleeping problems, such as nightmares and resisting bedtime
- eating problems and weight loss
- withdrawal and difficulty making friends
- delayed or regressing development, delayed speech and language skills
- frequent physical complaints, such as stomach aches or headaches
- frequent illness, such as respiratory or gastrointestinal illness (from DoH, 2009; NICE, 2014; Berman, 2003).
Where a professional suspects abuse, a simple open-ended question can be crucial in finding out more: 'We know that many mums and dads have arguments. Does that ever happen in your family?' (London Safeguarding Children Board, 2008). If a child discloses information, the adult should listen, give them an opportunity to talk, allow them to express their feelings, and believe what they say. As well as receiving training about domestic abuse, professionals should also have clear referral pathways to local domestic abuse services, health and social care, child safeguarding boards and child helplines. These are essential and should be first port of call if needed.
Information services and support links
- Women's helpline, www.womensaid.org.uk
- Refuge (safehouses), www.refuge.org.uk
- Find local domestic abuse services, www.womensaid.org.uk/ azrefuges.asp?section=00010001000800060002&itemTitle=A-Z+of+services
- NSPCC helpline, www.nspcc.org.uk
- Helpline for men experiencing abuse, www.mensadviceline.org.uk
- Helpline for abused LGBT people, www.brokenrainbow.org.uk
