Child survivors of domestic violence

Danielle & Jimmy's story

“She holds the worries of the whole family on her shoulders.” (Description of Danielle, aged 15)

750,000 children witness domestic abuse in the UK each year. In 90% of domestic violence incidents, children were in the same or the next room, and in over 50% of cases, children were also directly abused.

Domestic violence has serious consequences for children’s well-being. If they don’t receive help early, they could have serious mental health problems in adolescence and adulthood. Chileldren who witnessed abuse are also more likely to become either abusers or victims themselves in later life, thus perpetuating abuse for another generation.

In the case of 8 year old Jimmy, and his 15 year old sister, Danielle, the cycle of abuse has already begun again. They came to one our refuges recently, with their mother Lucy. Both children had grown up with domestic violence, but her father had always blamed Danielle for it — despite his violence predating her birth. According to his Mum, “Jimmy has picked up where his father left off”. He is physically and verbally abusive towards his sister, to the point where she can’t bear to be around him.

Ivina, the children and family worker, describes Danielle as holding “the worries of the whole family on her shoulders”. Her mother has been very dependent on her emotionally, and she is also worried by her father’s threat to kill himself. With Ivina’s help, she is now receiving counselling through a local young people’s service, which is helping her cope.

Danielle had been doing well at school, but there is a shortage of secondary school places in the area. While they are waiting for a school place, Ivina has found her a place on a “Fashion for Business” course at a local education centre. She is keen to work in the fashion industry when she is older, and the course teaches clothes-making, as well as how to get on design courses and how to start a business. She also keeps up with her studies by accessing computers and learning materials at a local library.