Keeping Children Safe

Family and domestic violence and abuse can have a significant impact on children – particularly when exposure to the violence occurs in a child’s early years. In addition to physical harm at the hands of family members, children may show physical symptoms of stress or distress, for example bedwetting, stomach upsets and chronic illnesses.

The immediate effects of experiencing family and domestic violence tend to differ with age, can vary from child to child in the same family. The secondary effects of violence, for example unstable housing, lack of access to education, and poor access to ante and post-natal care, can significantly impact on children’s safety and wellbeing.

The immediate effects of experiencing family and domestic violence tend to differ with age, can vary from child to child in the same family. The secondary effects of violence, for example unstable housing, lack of access to education, and poor access to ante and post-natal care, can significantly impact on children’s safety and wellbeing.