Schools / working with children

Why do domestic abuse prevention work with children and young people?

• Because attitudes are made early in life;
• Because many young people still think that abusing a partner is acceptable in certain circumstances;
• Because many victims of domestic abuse say that they would have left earlier if they had known more about recognising an abusive relationship and where to get help;
• Because the skills and attitudes taught to abusers on intervention programme to stop them from abusing and controlling their partners can be taught earlier, to prevent the abuse from happening in the first place;
• Because many young people are already experiencing some form of abuse in their own relationships and they tell us they want help with this;
• Because it helps schools to fulfil their requirement to educate for safer healthier relationships.
• Children living in households where domestic violence is happening are now identified as "at risk" under the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

Resources for teachers/children and young people's workers

Spiralling DVD and toolkit: A toolkit from Safer Bristol designed to be used by anyone working with children and young people, in any setting, focussing on young people's own relationships.

BDAF/PEYTU domestic violence and abuse organisational audit (pdf): A simple tick page check of how you are working to support parents experiencing DVA in your setting and guide your development of this.

Women's Aid's Education toolkit: A toolkit of lessons focusing on domestic abuse to be used by by teachers in schools. Can also be used by a range of professionals working with children and young people.

Teen Abuse Resource pack: Resources from 2010 Bristol campaign against abuse in teenagers' romantic relationships (split into parts for speed of downloading): Introduction (pdf); Activities (pdf); Information (pdf); Flyers (pdf)

More free resources from Women's Aid

Directory of resources for teachers (hosted by Women's Aid)

The Home Office is running a campaign targeted at young people and their own relationships. View and order young people's campaign materials.

Or go to Direct Gov's teenage relationship abuse page, with short films to encourage young people to look at their own relationships.