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Domestic Violence and young People: Tackling Teenage Relationship Abuse
Chris Etheridge- Programme Manager for the Young Peoples Programme
CAADA - Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse
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CAADA, children & young people. (CYP)
• National domestic abuse charity, est. 2005
• Goals:• Halve number of victims experiencing high risk domestic
abuse from 100k to 50k• Halve number of children harmed by high risk domestic
abuse from 130k to 65k• Halve average time it takes victims to seek help from 5 to
2.5 years
• Young People’s Programme 2013-15
• Data, policy and provision for CYP
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Today
1. Profile and needs of children in domestic abuse households
2. Models of help and intervention
3. Linking children’s safeguarding and adults services
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Neglect Emotional Physical Sexual Jealous & controlling behaviour
Harrasment & stalking
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100% Direct victimisation of child/young person
Missing
Lower level
Moderate
High
Hidden riskThere is a major overlap between direct harm to CYP and domestic abuse.
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Hidden harm
School adjustment
Social development and relationships
Risk taking behaviour
Feelings of blame/responsibilty
Emotional well-being
Behavioural problems
Physical health
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Concern at intake and exit
Intake
Exit
CYP suffer multiple physical and mental health consequences as a result of exposure to domestic abuse.
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Every time I felt scared, I wanted to go into my room, curl up into a ball and start screaming”.
Ever since my dad left, my behaviour is more attitude because I don’t have my dad to support me. I shout at my mum more. I can’t help it when I get angry or upset”
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Hidden behaviours
A quarter of CYP exhibit abusive behaviours, mostly once their exposure to domestic abuse has ended.
Mot
her
Sibling
Friend
/ass
ociate
Fath
er
Other
fam
ily (m
i...
Mot
her's
par
tner
Grand
pare
nt
Boyfrie
nd/g
irlfri
end
Other
fam
ily (a
dult)
62%
52%
41%
6% 5% 6% 3% 3% 2%
Abusive behaviours towards:
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CAADA Young People’s Programme• Consistent local response to young people aged 13+
experiencing interpersonal violence• Local network of Young People’s Violence Advisors
•HBV and forced marriage•Sexual exploitation•Gang involvement•Online exploitation/cyber stalking
Reach 13-17 year olds
experiencing domestic
abuse
•Improve and coordinate support•Identify and reduce risks •Collect data to inform policy and practice developments
Improve early
identification
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Key messages from the early dataThe young people supported are extremely vulnerable and are at high risk of serious harm.
Most have experienced multiple types of abuse, both currently and in the past.
Many of the young people do not live in a safe environment and are from ‘troubled families’.
Many had complex needs and additional vulnerabilities.
The support provided by caseholders was intensive and wide-ranging.
There were considerable reductions in risk and abuse, and improvements in safety and wellbeing following this support.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
55%
19%
55%
69%
13%
72%
20%
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Effective help must be whole family
Safeguarding CYP services
Domestic abuse victim
and perpetrator
services
Our data show a relationship between cessation of domestic abuse and cessation of direct harm to children.
Ending domestic abuse is in the core interests of everyone working to protect children – not just adult
services.
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Our policy recommendations
1. Create a network of lead professional across agencies with a shared understanding of risk.
2. Provide linked specialist domestic abuse services for the child/young person and the parents.
3. Local Safeguarding Children Boards and Ofsted should monitor provision and outcomes for CYP exposed to domestic abuse.