NSPCC Childline

NSPCC trials new domestic abuse support service in Prestatyn

An innovative new NSPCC service to help children and their mothers overcome the devastating effects of domestic abuse is being piloted in Prestatyn.

The Domestic Abuse: Recovering Together (DART) programme is one of the NSPCC’s newest services and the Prestatyn service centre is the first location in Wales to deliver this service.

The DART programme helps mothers and children, aged seven to 11, who have experienced domestic abuse, strengthen their relationship. The majority of referrals come from partner agencies but mothers can refer themselves directly to the service.

The programme lasts 10 weeks and each session lasts approximately two hours. The perpetrator of the abuse must not be living within the family home because it is important for both mother and child to feel safe enough to participate.

NSPCC service manager, Lyn Hartnell said: “Domestic abuse can have a huge impact on children; they can be deeply traumatised by witnessing violence between their parents or carers. Their responses to witnessing such abuse can be very different, with some children being more affected than others.

“This programme provides a safe and friendly environment for children and their mums to talk about their experiences.”

Children can experience domestic abuse in many different ways. They may hear the abuse, witness it happening, or see their mother’s injuries. Some may try to intervene and get caught in the middle of an incident. They may be forced to stay in one room, be prevented from playing, and can sometimes be cooerced into bullying the victim themselves.

Often domestic abuse is not discussed between family members, affecting how women and children relate to each other. NSPCC workers bring children and mums together in small groups to discuss their experiences openly. The practitioners also spend some time working with mothers and children separately. Mothers are helped to draw up a safety plan and cope with any difficult behavior in their children. Children are helped to understand what happened and explore their feelings about it.
Research shows that children affected by domestic abuse can be afraid, withdrawn, angry and lack confidence. They can also suffer from health or sleeping problems, struggle at school, be ashamed to bring friends home or can sometimes show violent or behavioural problems. It can also have an impact on young people’s relationships with their own boyfriend or girlfriend.

Lyn continued: “We know mothers who have suffered domestic abuse often feel guilt and a sense of helplessness about the impact the abuse has had on their child and children can find it hard to talk to their mums about what has happened.

“But we’re here to offer help. Children who have taken part in the programme have told us that they now feel less scared and more able to talk about their feelings while mothers feel more confident and supported, through meeting others who have been through similar experiences. I would urge any professional or mother who wants to find out more about DART to get in touch with us.”

For more information about the DART programme please contact the NSPCC in Prestatyn on 0844 892 0275 or email Click to email
website link

© copyright 2011 Your Tourism Community :: Design by Yvonne Tsang & Kate Watkiss. Powered by Your Tourism Community