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EMBARGOED:  7 March 2001 

PRESS RELEASE 

   Women’s Aid launch new video on children and domestic violence

Northern Ireland Women’s Aid today launched ‘Hurting, Coping, Growing’, a training video on children and domestic violence in the Nerve Centre, Derry.  

The video shows children, young people and adults sharing their experiences, feelings and hopes to domestic violence through POETRY, ART and DISCUSSION.  This video provides any organisation working with children and young people with a training tool which will go some way to raising awareness and understanding of children and domestic.

Speaking at the launch Sandra McNamee from NIWAF said  

“ It is important to remember that whole families suffer from domestic violence.  For every woman experiencing violence in the home there will usually be children who are also suffering.  The experiences of these children are often overlooked.  Organisations working with children and young people must realise that some of them may be experiencing violence in the home.  Provision of support is essential for all survivors of domestic violence.  This video should go some way to helping organisations understand the issues and develop effective support for children.” 

Since 1989, over 14,000 children in Northern Ireland have been accommodated in Women’s Aid refuges due to domestic violence.  It is thought that there are many more thousands of children that are ‘hidden victims’ of violence in the home. Violence in the family cannot be kept hidden from the children, they will often witness the violence, be aware of the tense atmosphere, suffer as victims themselves or suffer in the aftermath of the violence.  

Children need supportive adults who will listen to them and help them come to terms with their own situation.  For adults to be supportive they need to understand how children are affected and develop positive responses in working with them.  There is a definite need for organisations working with children and young people to, through training and use of this video, develop their knowledge and awareness in this area, so that they can be effective in their practice and response to women, children and young people.   

– END –

 For more information contact: 

 Sandra McNamee Young Person’s Development Project NIWAF

or

Angela Courtney Regional Management Co-ordinator NIWAF 

Tel : 02890 249041

Fax : 02890 239296

Email: niwaf@ dnet.co.uk

 

 

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