- Barnardos issues report on the impact of acrimonious parental separation and inter-parental conflict on children
- Amárach Research found that half of separated parents (51%) said communication was not possible or was extremely difficult around the time of separation, demonstrating high conflict and acrimony.
- Barnardos targeted services supported more than 2,000 children whose parents separated, of which 1,000 experienced inter-parental conflict
24th March. Barnardos today issued a report on the impact of acrimonious parental separation and inter-parental conflict on children. The report shows children are placed at risk of experiencing trauma, harm and poorer health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes. The children’s charity is calling on the Government to increase earlier and more intensive family supports, raise awareness of the impact on children for parents and to expand universal services to families struggling with inter-parental conflict and separation.
Barnardos commissioned Amárach Research who found that just under one in five parents (19%) said that they had experienced separation from their child/children’s other parent. Over half of those (51%) said communication was not possible or was extremely difficult around the time of separation, with high conflict. The results, extrapolated across the country, show thousands of children across the country every year are experiencing acrimonious parental separation and being placed at risk. Barnardos own services are seeing more and more children experiencing prolonged distress and harm as a result of inter-parental conflict and acrimonious separation. Last year just under half (44%) of the children supported in targeted services had experienced parental separation (or almost 2,000 children) and one quarter (24%) had experienced inter parental conflict (over 1,000 children).
Research shows and our own experience from services that parental separation and inter-parental conflict can lead to poorer outcomes for children across a variety of areas such as attachment problems, reduced engagement in school and poorer mental and physical health. Unfortunately, this can be compounded by poverty, something many families are at greater risk of after separation.
Of the parents who had separated:
- One third (35%) said it affected their ability to provide practical care.
- Half (49%) said it affected their child’s emotional wellbeing, anxiety and behaviour.
- Forty percent said it negatively impacted on children’s routines and stability.
- Half (48%) said it affected the child’s relationship with them or their other parent.
I was not in a good place when we separated so I was just existing and not focusing on my kids needs.
I lost some emotional connection with my child. Child doesn't get enough attention or adult time as she would like.
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: ”We know from working with thousands of children with direct experience the harm that can be caused by parental separation and inter parental conflict. We see it leading to reduced emotional engagement, increased anxiety, and children becoming more insecure and withdrawn. The longer that a child is exposed to it the greater likelihood that it will cause them harm, because childhood lasts a lifetime. However, we also see the lasting improvements to children’s lives that can be made with the right support.
“There have been numerous recent policy improvements around separation and family courts within the Department of Justice. Alongside this there needs to be more work to prevent parents’ conflict and separation escalating and clear actions that need to be taken to reduce and mitigate the potential harm children may face.”
It was a very difficult time when I sometimes made the wrong choices. Arguments in front of the young children. I believe that what they witnessed had a direct impact on their low confidence issues and their heightened anxiety.
Recommendations:
- Targeted Intensive Family Support - Increase earlier and more intensive support for parents and their children around the issue of inter-parental conflict and separation particularly for those dealing with numerous adversities which may be exacerbated or caused by the stress of separation and conflict surrounding it.
- Awareness Raising – An awareness raising campaign should be developed by the Department of Justice for parents across the country to better inform them of the impact entrenched parental conflict, particularly around separation, has on children and the need to resolve arguments in their presence.
- Universal Support - Expand access and provision of universal services helping parents generally who might be struggling with inter-parental conflict around separation.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Report: Barnardos Acrimonious Separation – The Impact on Children
For further information, please contact:
Barnardos Press Office: 086 044 5966
Email: [email protected]
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LinkedIn: @Barnardos Ireland
