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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
Email: niwaf@ dnet.co.uk
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