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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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New research with 900 CYP living with domestic abuse

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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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Serious abuse, multiple forms

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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.