Domestic Abuse
This school will receive, from Derbyshire Police, a notification of every incident that has been reported to them or known o them of domestic abuse where a child is known to live in the household.
This is a Derbyshire Police initiative working with Derbyshire County Council Children's Services. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and this is to help schools with responses to domestic abuse by helping them support children and their families exposed to or involved in domestic abuse.
This may mean talking to pupils about their experiences, raising awareness through classroom discussion and school activities; helping victims and families by providing to them, signposting information.
This school is committed to protecting children and young people and working with partners to stop domestic abuse.
Taken from the DCC Domestic Abuse material.
Domestic Abuse can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
- Psychological
- Physical
- Sexual
- Financial
- Emotional
Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse
Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing and scary and it causes serious harm to children.
Children who witness domestic abuse can experience a wide range effects. They may:
- Become anxious and depressed
- Have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares
- Be easily startled, flinch or react disproportionately to loud noises
- Complain of physical symptoms such as tummy ache
- Start wetting the bed
- Have temper tantrums and display challenging behaviour at school
- Behave younger than they are
- Not want to go to school
- Become aggressive towards others
- Have poor self-worth
- Self-harm
- Have difficulty forming positive relationships
They may feel:
- Guilty - because they think they have done something wrong
- Powerless - because they can't stop the violence
- Confused - because it doesn't make sense
- Angry - because it shouldn't be happening
- Sad - because it's a loss
- Afraid - because they may be hurt, they may lose someone they love, others may find out
- Alone - because they think it is only happening to them
What is SDAT?
SDAT is an early notification system to schools to quickly notify them of any incidents of domestic abuse where the Police have attended a household where children live.
This enables schools to understand changes in a child's behaviour, attitude or general presentation and to support children if needed.
Where to find help and support
Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Support Line - 08000 198 668
The support line is the single point of access to all of the commissioned domestic abuse support services in the County. The line, which is delivered by Action Housing, is staffed by trained domestic abuse workers between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The Hideout is an organisation that offers support and advice to children and families affected by Domestic Abuse