Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Sherry D. Crumity, M.A., MHC Grant and Operations Coordinator YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County

Transcription

1 Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Sherry D. Crumity, M.A., MHC Grant and Operations Coordinator YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County

2 Introductions/Icebreaker

3 Workshop Objectives Recognize and begin to meet some of the needs of children in transitional housing/shelter programs by creating inter-agency collaborations, recruiting volunteers, attending trainings, and learning to think outside of the box. Understand the effects of trauma as it relates to children s exposure to domestic violence. Be aware that children are impacted by their exposure to domestic violence differently, depending on a variety of cultural, socio-economic, and psychological factors. Be able to identify the factors that influence children s resiliency in the face of domestic violence.

4 Framework for the Session 1. Why is it important for advocates and families to know about the effects of domestic violence on children? 2. Do you feel comfortable as an advocate/case manager/counselor/ talking with a an abused parent about the effects of domestic violence on their children? 3. How do you deal with children experiencing difficult behavior in your shelter/program? 4. How might you support children in your program who have experienced domestic violence? 5. In what ways are domestic violence and child maltreatment connected or correlated?

5 Barriers

6 Interesting Facts Studies suggest that between 3.3 and 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence annually 63% of boys arrested for homicide, ages have killed their mothers abuser 80% of runaways come from homes where domestic violence occurs 70% of offenders in treatments for domestic violence witnessed it as a child Slightly more than half of female victims of intimate violence live in households with children under age 12 Men that were exposed to domestic violence as children are twice as likely to abuse their own partners than men of nonviolent parents. Intimate Partner Violence in the United States U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Available at Rothman, EF, Mandel, D, & Silverman, J Abusers' Perceptions of the Effect of Their Intimate Partner Violence on Children: A Research Note. Violence Against Women. 13(11): Domestic Violence Counts 07: A 24-hour census of domestic violence shelters and services across the United States National Network to End Domestic Violence. Available at

7 Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Short-Term Effects Generalized anxiety Sleeplessness Nightmares Difficulty concentrating High activity levels Increased aggression Increased anxiety about being separated from a parent Intense worry about their safety or the safety of a parent

8 Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Long-Term Effects Behavior problems in adolescence (e.g., juvenile delinquency, alcohol, substance abuse) Physical health problems Emotional difficulties in adulthood (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD) Poor school performance Learn destructive lessons about the use of violence and power in their own relationships

9 Homelessness, Families and Trauma Multiple traumatic events Risk to families functioning and well-being Traumatic events can interfere with parenting, attachment, and children s healthy development Children experience significant losses Challenging in shelters where there are limited resources and high staff turnover Understanding the child s experience

10 Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

11 Role of Advocates Contact & Engagement Safety & Comfort Calm & Orient Information Gathering Addressing Immediate Needs Practical Assistance Connect with Social Supports Information on Coping Link with Collaborative Services Patience Manage Personal and Professional Stress Take Advantage of Professional Development Opportunities

12 Strategies for Working With Children Maintain a child-friendly environment Maximizes the child s sense of safety Offer toys, books, videos, and games that may distract or comfort child/children Check in on the child s feelings Encourage parents to use natural supports Seek volunteers to provide child care Ensure that the child/children have access to professionals Create activities that will help children process their feelings. An advocate in a domestic violence shelter can make an important difference.

13 Strategies for Working With Children About You/You Are Special What is Relaxation Experiencing Feelings in Your Body Facial Expressions/Feelings Chart Coping with Upsetting Feelings Behavior Charts/Stickers/Small Prizes Feelings Survival Kit The Circle of Safety Your Fabulous Future Saying Goodbye Engage Parent in Using Techniques

14 Books

15 Residential/Shelter Environment

16 Games & Activities

17 Professional Development Training Materials/Resources

18 Workshop Activities Stress Ball Bubbles Journal Play dough Feelings Chart Yoga/ Physical Exercise Lavender/Calming Scents Emergency kits Back to School/Holiday Drives Other ideas

19 Video

20 Resources for Advocates and Parents National Child Traumatic Stress Network National Center for Children Exposed to Violence Safe Start Center National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Office on Violence Against Women

21 Resources for Advocates and Parents When Dad Hurts Mom: Helping Your Children Heal the Wounds of Witnessing Abuse by Lundy Bancroft (Putnam Adult, 2004) The Batterer as Parent by Lundy Bancroft and Jay G. Silverman (Sage Publications, Inc. 2002) Cohen, J.A., Mannarino, A.P., & Deblinger, E. (2006). Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents. New York: Guilford Press Trauma-Informed Practices With Children and Adolescents by William Steele and Cathy A. Malchiodi November 2011 Mindfulness & Yoga Skills for Children and Adolescents: 115 Activities for Trauma, Self-Regulation, Special Needs Mar 15, 2015 by Barbara Neiman

22 Questions