Domestic Abuse
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship. But it isn’t just physical violence – domestic abuse includes emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse.
Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse
Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing and scary for a child, and causes serious harm. Children living in a home where domestic abuse is happening are at risk of other types of abuse too. Children can experience domestic abuse or violence in lots of different ways. They might:
- see the abuse
- hear the abuse from another room
- see a parent’s injuries or distress afterwards
- be hurt by being nearby or trying to stop the abuse
How domestic abuse affects children
Living in a home where there is domestic abuse is harmful. It can have a serious impact on a child’s behaviour and wellbeing. Parents or carers may underestimate the effects of the abuse on their children because they don’t see what is happening. Children witnessing domestic abuse is recognised as significant harm in law and the effects of this can last into adulthood.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse and would like to speak confidentially with any of our DSLs, please contact school on 0113 2853000...or just call in.
Leeds Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0113 246 0401
OPERATION ENCOMPASS - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE SCHOOL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Our school is part of a Leeds initiative that runs jointly between schools and West Yorkshire Police. This initiative has been established to support children who are resident in households where there are alleged incidents of domestic violence and abuse. We know that children can be significantly physically or emotionally hurt by directly witnessing, or indirectly hearing, incidents of domestic abuse.
The Domestic Violence and Abuse School Notification System has been designed to provide confidential notification to schools of any alleged domestic abuse incidents which occur within a child’s household, as these incidents are likely to have an impact on the child while they are in school.
Notifying the school will ensure that a member of Drighlington Primary School's Child Protection/Safeguarding Team can make provision to support children, or their families, when they have been involved in or witnessed an alleged domestic violence or abuse incident.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to our pupils and families and continue to develop a designated support area for victims of domestic abuse on our school website.
If there are any incidences of domestic abuse involving any of our families, the school is informed and we contact those involved to let them know we are aware of the situation and that we are there for help and support if needed.
West Yorkshire Police have provided the following link where perpetrators of domestic abuse can get help and support:
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/antisocial-behaviour-and-crime/domestic-violence-and-abuse
You may also find these websites useful:
www.westyorkshire.police.uk/domesticabuse
