Supporting Children & Young People
Domestic abuse can affect people of all ages. Children and young people often need emotional and practical support when they experience domestic abuse themselves or when they witness it happening in their home.
Research from the NSPCC estimates that 1 in 5 children in the UK are at risk of developing long-term physical and mental health problems after witnessing or being exposed to domestic abuse during childhood.
In Scotland, the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 recognises that domestic abuse is not only physical but can also include psychological harm, coercive control and emotional abuse. The law also recognises the serious impact that domestic abuse can have on children who experience or are exposed to it within their home.
At Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid, we have a specialised team dedicated to supporting children and young people. Our staff have particular expertise in supporting Asian, Black and minority ethnic women, children and young people, and understand the cultural sensitivities and barriers that families from minority ethnic communities in Scotland may face.
We provide direct support to children and young people in a place where they feel safe and comfortable. This could be at school, in a library, a community venue or another safe space agreed with the child or their family.
Our Children and Young People Outreach Service is funded by the Glasgow City Council Community Fund. The service is available across Glasgow and is also active in East Renfrewshire, helping ensure that children and young people in these areas can access the support they need.
We are committed to helping children and young people feel heard, safe and supported as they recover from the impact of domestic abuse.
No child or young person should have to face this alone. Support is available.
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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