COURSE OVERVIEW:

Thousands of children are exposed to domestic violence a year and there will be children affected by it in almost every school. For many, home is a stressful, unpredictable place; the family is a source of conflict and some children live in an almost constant state of fear about the next violent episode. Children may fear for the safety of their mother/ father/ siblings and themselves.

Violent acts are often committed by someone who should be caring for and protecting them. The impact is profound, the fear never goes away and young people can be traumatised by their experiences.

A turbulent home environment makes children anxious and unhappy. It can prevent them from thriving in school and learning effectively. It is often a key factor underlying emotional and social difficulties, and problematic behaviour in school, including poor attendance and punctuality.

Children who live in homes where there is domestic violence grow up in an environment that is unpredictable, filled with tension and anxiety and dominated by fear. This can lead to significant emotional and psychological trauma, similar to that experienced by children who are victims of child abuse.

Children living with domestic violence suffer emotional and psychological trauma from the impact of living in a household that is dominated by tension and fear. These children will see, for example, their mother threatened, demeaned or physically or sexually assaulted. They will overhear conflict and violence and see the aftermath of the violence such as their mother's injuries and her traumatic response to the violence.

The impact of domestic violence on children often goes unrecognised in education settings. Even when staff know there is something amiss in a family or are aware of the negative impact of domestic violence on a child, they can find it difficult to know what to do and how to safeguard the child and family. Schools, pre-schools and early childhood settings can be hugely beneficial to young people affected by domestic abuse. For many children and families, they are the natural first port of call for help.

This course provides important information on abuse and the key facts on domestic violence. Then considers the impact of domestic violence on children at different stages of development. Also, discusses the particular issues facing children and young people in regards to domestic violence. Then explains how domestic violence affects adults’ ability to parent effectively. Finally, explores the impact of domestic violence on mothers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

·       What is abuse?

·       What is domestic violence?

·       What children may hear or witness during domestic violence?

·       The impact of domestic violence on children’s well-being and safety

·       The links between domestic violence and other forms of child abuse        

·       The links between domestic violence, child abuse and animal cruelty

·       The children’s reactions to violence in the home

·       Who are the abusers? 

·       Domestic violence and male victims

·       Domestic violence and disabled people  

·       The ‘Honour’- based violence

·       The violence against women from ethnic minorities

·       The abuse in teenage relationships

·       Children who abuse parents 

·       The characteristics of an abusive home environment

·       How and why domestic abuse happens?

·       The Duluth Domestic Violence Intervention Project

·       The abusers’ perspectives on domestic violence

·       The continued risks to women and children during and after separation

·       How children suffer because of the abuser?

·       The cycle of violence in families

·       The resilience factors in children

·       The risk factors for children

·       The importance of supportive staff in childcare, pre-schools and schools

·       The impact of domestic violence on babies and young children

·       Domestic violence, pregnancy and the impact on under 5 years of age

·       Domestic violence and early brain development

·       The impact of domestic violence on infant behaviour

·       The impact of domestic violence on school-aged children

·       What a child whose family has fled domestic violence may worry about?

·       Domestic violence and post-traumatic stress in children

·       The pressures to keep the abuse a secret

·       The impact of domestic violence on child’s social relationships

·       Domestic violence and child’s challenging behaviour         

·       How domestic violence provides children with a negative model of conflict resolution?

·       The physical and psychological effects of domestic violence on mothers

·       Domestic violence in pregnancy

·       Domestic violence, maternal depression and attachment

·       The impact of domestic violence on the mother–baby relationship

·       The impact of domestic violence on parenting 

·       The reasons why some women don’t ‘just leave’?

·       Particular issues for mothers from ethnic minority communities and their children

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.