Domestic Abuse

Introduction

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced the first ever statutory definition of domestic abuse and recognised the impact of domestic abuse on children, as victims in their own right, if they see, hear or experience the effects of abuse. Experiencing domestic abuse can have a serious, long lasting emotional and psychological impact on children. In some cases, a child may blame themselves for the abuse or may have had to leave the family home as a result

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of sexual identity, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background and domestic abuse can take place inside or outside of the home.

Types of domestic abuse include:

• Intimate partner violence
• Abuse by family members
• Teenage relationship abuse
• Child to parent abuse.

In the most recent update of the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education, a new section has been introduced on Domestic Abuse. This can be found on page 14, paragraph 43. under the heading 'Safeguarding Issues':

' 43. Domestic abuse can encompass a wide range of behaviours and may be a single incident or a pattern of incidents. That abuse can be, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional. Children can be victims of domestic abuse. They may see, hear, or experience the effects of abuse at home and/or suffer domestic abuse in their own intimate relationships (teenage relationship abuse). All of which can have a detrimental and long-term impact on their health, well-being, development, and ability to learn.'

Domestic abuse is now also highlighted within 'Abuse and Neglect' 'Indicators of abuse and neglect' on page 9 & 10:

23. All staff, but especially the designated safeguarding lead (and deputies) should consider whether children are at risk of abuse or exploitation in situations outside their families. Extra-familial harms take a variety of different forms and children can be vulnerable to multiple harms including (but not limited to) sexual abuse (including harassment and exploitation), domestic abuse in their own intimate relationships (teenage relationship abuse), criminal exploitation, serious youth violence, county lines, and radicalisation.

Getting support locally

• Bristol Healthy Schools - information, guidance and resources for schools on preventing and addressing domestic violence and abuse.
• Next Link info poster & Next Link - dedicated children and young people’s services, they also deliver Healthy Relationships workshops to schools in Bristol.
• Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse - a teaching pack for delivering awareness to people with learning difficulties. 
• Bristol Early Years - further information and resources.

National resources

• The Hide Out - a website to help children and young people experiencing domestic abuse and violence from Women's Aid.
• Spiralling Film - an education toolkit and film to help prevent domestic abuse in the next generation, by carrying out activities with and for children and young people. The film is hosted on Vimeo.
• The expect respect education toolkit - toolkit is full of resources for teachers to help educate young people on healthy relationships and gender-based violence from Women's aid.
• PSHE KS4: Is this coercive control? - a lesson from BBC Teach. Designed for use with students over 15.