Children & Young People
Children as victims of domestic abuse
Children and young people can experience domestic abuse at several stages in their life. ‘the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children as victims of abuse in their own right.’
Domestic abuse can be worse during pregnancy and physical violence can affect the unborn child in many different ways including miscarriage, still birth and premature birth. Violence and psychological stress inflicted on the mother can also lead to physical and mental illness.
Children can experience domestic abuse at home between parents and guardians. It is often assumed that, if a child doesn’t see the abuse then they aren’t aware of it but children can hear physical abuse, abusive language, and pick up on the fear and behaviours of the non-abusive parent.
Children often develop anxiety, depression, aggression and even post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of living with abuse.
The psychological impact of living with domestic abuse is no smaller than the impact of being physically abused.
Cambs DASV worked with national organisation Against Violence and Abuse (AVA) to develop guidance for practitioners supporting children living with domestic abuse. The guidance can be found at Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Children and Young People (cambsdasv.org.uk)
If you suspect children are at risk of harm from domestic violence, you must follow your local Safeguarding Children procedures.
The latest safeguarding procedures and how to report concerns can be found on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Children Partnership Board website: http://www.safeguardingcambspeterborough.org.uk
Teenagers and Abusive Relationships
Several independent studies have shown that 40% of teenagers are in abusive dating relationships.
The bi-annual Health-Related Behaviour Questionnaire shows that around one third of pupils in year 8 and year 10 have experienced behaviours such as jealousy, threats and even hitting from current or ex boyfriends of girlfriends.
Teenage romantic relationships can often be short-lived but they are experienced as intensely as adult relationships. Unfortunately, parents and professionals do not always take these relationships seriously enough.
Teenagers in abusive relationships can experience the same as adults.
Source: Safe Lives Spotlight http://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Disabled%20Survivors%20Too%20CORRECTED.pdf
Some further indicators may include:
– Their boyfriend of girlfriend gets upset or angry if they spend time with friends.
– He or she may feel pressured into doing what their partner says, including having sex.
– Their boyfriend or girlfriend might insist on checking their phone or asking who they have spoken to.
– Calling their partner names or saying nasty things about her/him to, or in front of, other people.
– Threatening to spread rumours about him or her.
The Young People’s IDVAs work with young people aged 13-19 (24 with additional needs or if they are an ex Looked After Child) who are experiencing domestic abuse in their own intimate relationships. To refer to the YP IDVA please see our website Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Children and Young People (cambsdasv.org.uk)
Child / Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA)
There is currently no legal definition of child to parent violence and abuse. However, it is increasingly recognised as a form of domestic violence and abuse and, depending on the age of the child, it may fall under the government’s official definition of domestic violence and abuse It is important to recognise that CPA is likely to involve a pattern of behaviour.
This can include physical violence from an adolescent towards a parent or carer and a number of different types of abusive behaviours. Violence and abuse can occur together or separately.
Abusive behaviours can encompass, but are not limited to, humiliating language and threats, belittling a parent, damage to property, stealing from a parent and heightened sexualised behaviours.
However, some families might experience episodes of explosive physical violence from their child with fewer controlling, abusive behaviours.
The term ‘child’ in this case also refers to adult children. Grandparents can also experience the abuse from grandchildren.
For more information on support around child to parent abuse, please visit https://www.cambsdasv.org.uk/web/child_adolescent_to_parent_violence_and_abuse/579957