Engage: Domestic Abuse and its Impact on Child Victims

A child may be quiet at school. They may be angry, anxious, withdrawn or constantly on alert. They might struggle to concentrate, find relationships difficult or behave in ways that adults find challenging.

What we see is behaviour.

What we may not see is a child trying to cope with fear, uncertainty and domestic abuse at home.

Children do not have to directly witness an incident to be affected by domestic abuse. They may hear it, see the aftermath, experience coercive and controlling behaviour within the family, worry about a parent or sibling, or change their own behaviour in an attempt to keep themselves and others safe.

Children who see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse are recognised as victims in their own right.

Understanding this changes the way we respond.

About this course

This self-paced course explores domestic abuse through the experiences of children and young people, helping you understand how abuse can affect their safety, wellbeing, development and relationships.

You’ll explore how domestic abuse may present differently in children and young people, why behaviour needs to be understood in context, and the importance of looking beyond individual incidents to recognise patterns of coercion, control and harm within the family.

The course also considers the legislation surrounding domestic abuse and child victims, alongside risk assessment and safeguarding responsibilities.

You are not expected to have all the answers. But being able to recognise what may be happening, respond with curiosity and compassion, and know when and how to safeguard can make a significant difference to a child.

This course covers sensitive topics relating to domestic abuse and the experiences of children and young people. Support information is provided at the beginning of the programme.