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Resources for practitioners

Domestic Violence and Abuse

Domestic abuse is one of the most difficult situations parents and children face.

What is domestic violence & abuse?

  • Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour used by one person to control another person in an intimate relationship.  This can include physical or sexual violence, social isolation, financial abuse, or coercion. 

Quick links

How does Domestic Violence and Abuse effect children?

  • Video: The Impact of Domestic Violence and Abuse on children

  • Text: How does domestic abuse affect children:
    • When domestic violence and abuse occurs in adult relationships, this is a lived experience for children in the family.
    • 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. 
    • Children are not passive bystanders, they are centrally involved and experience the violence and abuse in their own right.  
    • The abuse may be directed towards them, they may intervene to stay safe, protect a parent or siblings, and are often used as a tool in abuse and control.
    • Separately, young people are vulnerable to being abused in their own early intimate relationships. Their experience mirrors the adult experience.
    • It can take place in person or online, where young people commonly also experience abuse through new technologies and social media, and which can be used as an additional monitoring or harassment tool by the abuser

Publications

  • Barnardos resources

    We have a list of resources available for anyone who wants more information about domestic violence and abuse. 

    We have a number publications for free download that will help parents understand the ways domestic abuse affects children and their development and gives guidance on how to listen to and support children. 

    Our Heart, Body, Mind section aims to provide you and your children with the opportunity to check in with yourselves regularly.

    The TLC Kidz Project is a community coordinated response for children and mothers in recovery from domestic violence and abuse.

  • Shine

    Children and Young People's Services Committee, Monaghan developed, SHINE. These are a series of booklets developed to support Children and Young People explore and manage their emotions while learning about healthy relationships, boundaries, and staying safe:

    Guidelines on using these booklet can be found here.   

  • Cope Galway

    Cope Galway Booklet for parents: Parenting after Domestic Violence and Abuse. 

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