Wednesday, May 12, 2021: Barnardos will hold a webinar on the impact of Domestic Violence and Abuse on Children, on Thursday June 3rd 2021. The webinar will focus on children and young people as victims of domestic violence and abuse in their own right. Tickets are available at www.barnardos.ie/empoweringchildren
According to Aine Costello, National Coordinator of the Childhood Domestic Abuse Project with Barnardos, “Domestic violence in the home affects everybody in that home, especially children. They experience the violence and abuse in their own right. Often abuse can be directed towards them or they may need to intervene for their own safety. Similarly, children often feel that they must protect a parent or sibling in a violent situation. More often than not, we also see children being used as a tool in abuse and control. Evidence shows that children living in these situations are at greater risk of child domestic homicide.”
The aim of the upcoming webinar is to increase awareness and understanding of the specific needs of children and young people who live with childhood domestic violence and abuse. It will combine the expertise of two leading academics in this arena, an incredible story of a lived experience of a childhood domestic violence and abuse survivor, and discuss a participation project that aims to give representation of the voices of children and young people in Ireland. Keynote speakers include:
- Dr Stephanie Holt: Head of School of Social Work & Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin, whose research interest and expertise focuses on domestic violence with a particular emphasis on the impact of domestic violence on children and young people.
- Dr Katie Lamb: A Research Fellow in the University of Melbourne whose research explores the perspectives of children and young people after family violence.
- Helen Oxenham, a childhood domestic violence and abuse survivor originally from Cork, now living in Australia. Helen has supported women and children for decades who are victims of domestic violence and abuse.
- Aine Costello: National coordinator of the childhood domestic abuse project with Barnardos, who will present on the work of the childhood domestic abuse participation project – a multi-agency project facilitated by Barnardos.
The webinar will be hosted by Suzanne Connelly, CEO Barnardos, and will welcome Joan Mullan, Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Programme Manager with Tusla, to close the event.
From our work with services around the country, we believe that children’s voices must be heard, and their experiences understood in the ongoing narrative around domestic violence and abuse,” said Ms. Costello. “Through our services and those we work with we understand that domestic violence and abuse affects every aspect of a child’s life, including their health, wellbeing and development from conception through to adulthood. For the child, this violence and abuse is experienced through all their senses, whereby their lives are dominated by fear, control, isolation and intimidation. The conversation cannot be had without their inclusion.”
The event will take place on Thursday June 3rd from 10am – 12pm and is free of charge.
Tickets are available at www.barnardos.ie/empoweringchildren
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About Barnardos
Barnardos’ mission is to deliver services and work with families, communities, and our partners to transform the lives of vulnerable children who are affected by adverse childhood experiences. Because childhood lasts a lifetime www.barnardos.ie