Supporting Children & Young People
Domestic abuse can affect anyone of any age. Children and young people need emotional and practical support when they experience domestic abuse either directly or when they have witnessed it in their home.
The NSPCC estimate 1 in 5 children in the UK are at serious risk of long-term physical and mental health problems having witnessed or been exposed to domestic abuse during their childhood.
Since the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, children that have been exposed to domestic abuse are now recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right, rather than just witnesses.
Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid has a specialized team that support children and young people directly, with particular expertise in supporting Asian, Black and Minority ethnic women, children and young people.
Our new Outreach Service is funded by the Glasgow City Council Community Fund. This service is available throughout Glasgow and is active across East Renfrewshire, reaching children and young people in these parts and ensuring they get the right support.
- Supporting children
- Supporting young people
- I am a young person
Useful terminology
| What is domestic abuse? |
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim. |
| What is forced marriage? | A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage, and pressure or abuse is used to force them into marriage. |
| What is honour-based abuse? | Honour-based abuse is a crime or incident commited to protect or defend 'honour' of a family or community. If your family or community think you've shamed or embarrassed them by behaving in a certain way, they may punish you for breaking the 'honour' code. |
| What is the Rights of the Child? |
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an improtant, legally binding agreement signed by 196 countries (as far as July 2022) which outlines the fundamental rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities. The following rights are of equal importance to every child. Every child has a the right to:
Find out more via the UNECEF website. |
| What is a Forced Marriage Protection Order? |
The Forced Marriage Protection Order aims to protect a person or persons who has been, or is being, forced into marriage. The court can extablish this order in an emergency so that protection is in place straight away. Applications for a forced marriage protection order can be made at the same time as a police investigation or other criminal proceedings. Find out more via Gov.UK. |
Additional resources
As well as seeking advice and support from Hemat Gryffe Women's Aid Children & Young People's Workers, there are many other helpful organisations that can provide additional support.
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The Young Minds parents' information service provides help for parents concerned about a young person's mental health. They also have a parent's helpline, available on 0808 802 5533 from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, or WebChat open during the same hours.
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