Support Services for Young Victims Subject to or Witnessing Domestic Abuse

Rapid evidence reviews undertaken by Merseyside OPCC during 2014 identified that children and young people have often been referred to as the hidden or forgotten victims of domestic violence. In recent years however, recognition that children and young people are impacted upon by domestic violence has spread, and policy and practice has begun to develop accordingly. Operation Encompass has seen Merseyside Police pledge to inform schools the next day if one of their pupils has experienced a domestic incident in their home the night before. The aim is to give schools the information they need in order to look after that child's needs in the aftermath of what may be one of the most distressing things they will ever witness. There is a wealth of information detailing the life course impacts of witnessing or experiencing domestic violence on children and young people. Many children who witness abuse demonstrate significant behavioural and/or emotional problems. The effects depend on the individual child, their age and gender, how much they witness and whether or not they are personally involved in the abuse, their personality and support available to them (Hidden Hurt, 2014). This contract is to provide services to help these young people.