Communities and Culture Committee

Scutiny Inquiry : Domestic Abuse - Response from NCH Cymru

1. Introduction

NCH Cymru works with over 13,000 disadvantaged children and young people in over 50 projects in 21 out of the 22 counties in Wales and so is in a good position to represent the views of children, young people and families to policy makers.

Many of our projects in Wales support families and so many families suffering domestic abuse use or are referred to our services. In Neath Port Talbot NCH Cymru has been commissioned to provide counselling to children who have or are suffering domestic abuse and the non- abusing parent if necessary.

Based on our experiences, NCH Cymru has views and will comment on the provision of support to victims of domestic abuse and preventing domestic abuse.

2. Provision of Support to Victims of Domestic Abuse

It is widely acknowledged that perpetrators of domestic abuse play a power game and try to control the lives of the victims. However the terror and the continuing harassment experienced by the victims should not be underestimated. There is insufficient protection for the victims of domestic abuse; sometimes the courts are not sufficiently aware of domestic abuse and can be taken in by the ploys and delaying techniques used by the perpetrators to continue the harassment of the victims.

Child victims of domestic abuse are very confused and fearful. This manifests itself in many ways; they can have violent outbursts, not sleep, be very tearful etc. NCH Cymru feels there are insufficient counselling services available for both the child and non-abusing parent victims. NCH’s counselling service in Neath Port Talbot intervenes very successfully with both the child and non abusing parent and enables them to overcome their issues and regain a more normal childhood and family life. However there is a waiting list for up to 8 months for this service and the service needs very experienced counsellors who are able to withstand the pressures of counselling in this environment.

NCH Cymru also feels there are insufficient children’s workers to work specifically with child victims of domestic abuse. Children who are in refuges or are re-housed benefit greatly from play, sound activities and law-level therapeutic interventions provided by children’s workers. Women’s Aid cannot access mainstream funding for children’s workers and are reliant on grant and trust funding for these posts. NCH Cymru also feels that its unjust for the non abusing parent and children to have to flee from their own home with all the consequences to their normal lives of the children; if some way could be found to maintain the children in the family home retaining their used school and playmates and removing the abuser, outcomes for children would be improved.

3. Prevention of domestic abuse

NCH Cymru recommends that the following services need to be available:

(i) Counselling for all children who experience domestic abuse.

(ii) PSE Education in schools includes education for all pupils about what characterises a healthy adult relationship.

(iii) counselling and courses such as the Freedom Programme are available to the non abusing parent so that they are empowered and better able to recognise the signs and avoid future abusive relationships.

For more information about any NCH Cymru services please contact Viv Laing, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NCH Cymru, Saint David’s Court, 68a Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff, CF11 9DN. E-mail Vivienne.laing@nch.org.uk or telephone 029 20 222127.