Domestic violence and abuse has been recognised nationally as having a significant impact on both individuals and families. It is a common misconception that children witness rather than experience domestic abuse. The definition of abuse now highlights that children are also victims and survivors (Home Office 2020) and, therefore, understanding impact is key.
Research evidence shows that children experiencing domestic violence and abuse can be negatively affected in every aspect of their functioning, safety, physical and mental health and well being, school attendance and achievement, economic wellbeing and emotional development. The effects may continue into adulthood affecting their ability to form peer friendships and healthy partner relationships of their own. In the most extreme cases, children are at risk of serious injury or death as a result of domestic violence and abuse. For many children experience of living with domestic violence and abuse is the underlying factor in other needs for which they come to the notice of services and individual organisations.
In Dorset, we have developed a Domestic Abuse Toolkit for professionals who work with both children and families who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Facts around Domestic Abuse
- Each year more than 100,000 people in the UK are at imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse 2
- 130,000 children live in households where there is high-risk domestic abuse 2
- A quarter (25%) of children in high-risk domestic abuse households are under 3 years old.
- 62% of children living in domestic abuse households are directly harmed by the perpetrator of the abuse, in addition to the harm caused by witnessing the abuse of others 1
- Gender: Women are much more likely than men to be the victims of high risk or severe domestic abuse: 95% of those going MARAC or accessing an Idva service are women 3,4
- Low income: families in households with an income of less than £10,000 were 3.5 times more at risk than those in households with an income of over £20,000 5
- Age: Younger people are more likely to be subject to interpersonal violence. The majority of high risk victims are in their 20s or 30s. 3 Those under 25 are the most likely to suffer interpersonal violence 5
- Pregnancy: Nearly one in three women who suffer from domestic abuse during their lifetime report that the first incidence of violence happened while they were pregnant 6
- Separation: Domestic violence is higher amongst those who have separated, followed by those who are divorced or single 5
- Previous criminality of the perpetrator: domestic abuse is more likely where the perpetrator has a previous conviction (whether or not it is related to domestic abuse) 5
- Drug and alcohol abuse: Victims of abuse have a higher rate of drug and/or alcohol misuse (whether it starts before or after the abuse): at least 20% of high-risk victims of abuse report using drugs and/or alcohol 2
- Mental health issues: 40% of high-risk victims of abuse report mental health difficulties 2
Sources
1 Caada (2014), In Plain Sight: Effective help for children exposed to domestic abuse. Bristol: Caada.
2 SafeLives (2015), Getting it right first time: policy report. Bristol: SafeLives.
3 SafeLives (2015), Insights Idva National Dataset 2013-14. Bristol: SafeLives.
4 SafeLives (2014), Marac national dataset 2014. Bristol: SafeLives
5 Walby, S. and Allen, J. (2004), Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. London: Home Office.
6 Lewis, G, Drife, J, et al. (2001) Why mothers die: Report from the confidential enquiries into maternal deaths in the UK 1997-9; commissioned by Department of Health from RCOG and NICE (London: RCOG Press)
BCP Safeguarding Children Partnership and Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership are committed to addressing the impact of domestic violence and abuse as part of its wider remit to ensure that children are protected and safeguarded from harm. More information is available from the Pan-Dorset Multi Agency Safeguarding Procedures
HRDA – Dorset
Here in Dorset, we have replaced MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) with HRDA (High Risk Domestic Abuse meetings). Further details and the referral form can be found here
Should you have concerns about a child or family you are working with, our Domestic Abuse Toolkit (see link above) will signpost you appropriately.
Dorset MAPPA (Multi-Agency Public Protection arrangements)
Dorset is a low crime area, relative to other counties and the number of sexual and violent crimes committed represents a small proportion of the total recorded crime in this county, but for the victims and their families they inevitably cause a great deal of fear, distress and harm.
It is for this reason that protecting the public from offenders that commit these crimes and meeting the needs of victims remains a high priority for the Dorset Police, the National Probation Service, (NPS), Dorset cluster and Prison Services.
The Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements are a significant contribution to the work that takes place. Under these arrangements these Statutory services work closely together with other key partners, including those responsible for safeguarding arrangements for children and adults, and those who may pose a risk through Extremism activities, to identify, assess and manage violent and sexual offenders. It is never possible to eliminate risk entirely; however what can be expected is that all reasonable steps have been taken to reduce the risk of serious harm to the public from known offenders.
Resources
The following documents are provided as a resource for secondary schools and other agencies. The posters can be printed off and displayed on noticeboards. The Expect Respect Toolkit is a national resource which has been developed by Women’s Aid for the Home Office and provides lesson plans for pupils aged 13-18.
