Leeway, a shelter from domestic abuse

Domestic Violence Helpline Call 0845 241 2171 Now

SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Click here if you are a child or young person looking for support

• Children and domestic abuse
• Leeway’s community services for children and young people
• Leeway’s school programmes
• Information for children and young people

Children and domestic abuse

Children and young people can be significantly affected by domestic abuse.

• There is also a strong connection between domestic abuse and child abuse. Research studies have found that in 40-60% of cases when women are being abused, children are also being abused.
• At least 750,000 children/young people a year, witness domestic violence.
• Nearly three quarters of children under Child Protection Plans live in households where domestic violence occurs (Dept. of Health, 2002)
• Children and young people can experience domestic abuse directly or by witnessing abuse by parents or siblings.
• In 90% of cases children and young people are in the same or next room (Hughes, 1992).
• A third of children present try to intervene to protect their mothers and therefore may get caught in the middle of the abuse.
• The child may see the mothers injuries after the abuse or may be forced to witness it.
• Witnessing domestic abuse is a form of emotional abuse

Each child/young person may respond differently to experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse, some common long term effects are;

• anxiety
• depression
• withdrawal
• nightmares
• bed wetting
• low self esteem
• aggressive behaviour
• eating disorders
• underachieving at school.

Some children may not show any visible signs but this does not mean they have not been affected and do not need support.

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Leeway’s community services for children and young people

Leeway offers a range of community services especially for children and young people (aged 5 – 19 years old) in Norfolk and Suffolk including:

One to one support – Our specialist children’s workers can meet a child in a confidential and safe environment to give them the opportunity to talk about anything on their mind.

Group work – Leeway runs fun, interactive groups for children which help to increase their self-esteem, help them stay safe and healthy and help them to understand their experiences of domestic abuse. Our Be-an Group Programme is ideal for children aged 5-11 years old, and our new Teen Be-an Group Programme suits young people aged 12-19 years old.
Call us on 08452 412 171 to find out more about the community services Leeway provides to children and young people across Norfolk and Suffolk.

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Leeway’s school programmes

Citizenship and can be tailored to anything between one and five weeks at the choice of each school. Drop-in sessions also continue before or after classes if the schools would like them to happen.
The Aims of The Lessons Are:

• To teach young people about how to stay safe
• How to recognise types of behaviour that are not acceptable
• Who they can talk to
• What they should do if they fall victim themselves, or suspect a friend or family member is

Outcomes of Our Lessons

• Evaluation forms are completed by both pupils and teachers, those we’ve received to date illustrate our classes are fun whilst informative and beneficial.
• Most importantly they are leaving with the understanding that they are not alone and it is ok to seek help where they will be able to talk about their feelings, experiences, concerns and be believed.

Some Quotes From Teachers

‘Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Information for their age, which is understandable, gives them knowledge to deal with situations. Leeway’s children’s outreach workers have made a serious topic interesting, informative and easy to understand.’ - Head teacher

‘The sessions were great. Both facilitators were great with the children and helped them to develop into more confident young adults. A really big thank you for an excellent course!’ - Head teacher

‘The children have become more emotionally intelligent and have really opened up. They have become more aware and reflective about their own lives’ - Class teacher

Some Quotes From Pupils

‘I’ve learnt I am not the only one that’s been through this’

‘There is always help if you have a problem’

‘I’ve learnt how to tell others about my feelings’

‘Domestic abuse is when people get hurt, not always violence but feelings as well. Being bullied in your own home’

‘An unsafe relationship is when you are scared of someone’

‘You should be able to trust your partner and feel safe around them’

‘I now understand what to do when there is a problem at home’

‘Domestic violence is never ok!’

‘Other people have been through domestic violence and that people won’t blame you if someone is hitting you’

Some of The Schools We Have Worked in:

• Acle Primary School
• Angel Road Junior School
• Bignold Junior School
• Cliff Park Middle School
• Green Acre Primary School
• Heartsease Middle School
• South Harford Middle School
• St Nicholas Priory Middle School
• Arch Bishop Sancroft High School
• Cliff Park High School
• Earlham High School – Sixth Form
• Aylsham High School
• Hellesdon High School
• Taverham High School

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Information for children and young people

If you’re not happy and think there may be something wrong at home but you’re not sure, then it’s okay- there are people that can help.

You can call our helpline on 08452 412 171 for advice and support.

Do you want to know what domestic violence is, or who it happens to and why?

If you want to find out more about domestic violence, need help or just want to chill out and play games, then follow this link, www.thehideout.org.uk, the national website to support and give information for children and young people living with domestic violence.

Other numbers you can call:

• Childline: 0800 1111
• This is a 24 hour, free and confidential helpline for children and young people.
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• This is a 24 hour freephone helpline for children and young people.
• Website: www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk

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