Who to contact:

If you are in an emergency call 999

If it is a non-emergency call 101 if you have hearing or speech impairment you can use the text service on 18001101

You can also go to your local police station and report it to them

You can contact Crimestoppers to report a crime and stay anonymous - you can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

There is also a Medway Domestic Abuse Service known as Oasis. Oasis provide support for victims of domestic abuse and their families. You can call on 0800 917 9948 or email helpline@oasisdaservice.org.

Parental vulnerabilities and risk factors:

• domestic abuse
• substance misuse
• mental health difficulties
• learning difficulties and disabilities
• young parents
• care experienced parents
• poor school attendance and attainment

Some parents also experience other challenges along with their vulnerabilities, such as:

• housing
• intergenerational trauma
• gender bias
• economic hardship
• increased workload
• discrimination and stigma
• lack of social support or community

Dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders:

The term ‘dual diagnosis’ covers a broad spectrum of mental health and substance misuse problems that an individual might experience at the same time. The nature of the relationship between these 2 conditions is complex. Possibilities include:

• a primary psychiatric illness precipitating or leading to substance misuse
• substance misuse worsening or altering the course of a psychiatric illness
• intoxication of substance dependence leading to psychological symptoms
• substance misuse and/or withdrawal leading to psychiatric symptoms or illness

Domestic violence and abuse:

The NHS states Domestic violence/abuse 'includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members.' 

There is different types of abuse such as:

• coercive control
• economic and financial abuse
• technology-facilitated abuse
• emotional abuse
• threats and intimidation
• physical abuse
• sexual abuse

neurodiversity and domestic abuse:

• neurodivergence is not a cause of abuse, but it may shape how behaviours present
• traits (e.g. impulsivity, emotional dysregulation) can overlap with abusive dynamics
• risk of misinterpreting behaviours or excusing harm
• understanding neurodivergence is essential for safe, effective interventions
• those who are neurodiverse may have a heightened risk of violence, bullying or controlling behaviour.

Engagement with neurodiverse men, challenges:

• undiagnosed/unsupported needs
• misread as resistant or disruptive
• standard programs not accessible
• trauma and multiple disadvantage

engagement with neuro diverse men, what works:

• tailored delivery (small groups, pacing, 1:1)
• skilled facilitators: empathy + accountability
• neurodivergent-only groups foster trust
• integrated, trauma-informed responses

How does domestic abuse impact babies, children and young people:

How to recognise if a child is experiencing domestic abuse:

Child and young people witnessing and experiencing domestic abuse:

Children can be effected by domestic abuse either directly or indirectly.

They may experience:

• not getting the correct care or support from their parents or carers
• hearing or witnessing the abuse
• seeing someone they care about being injured and/or distressed
• seeing damage to their home environment
• being hurt physically
• trying to stop the abuse
• not being aloud to enter or access certain parts of the house e.g locked doors
• being forced to leave the house or losing their home

Domestic abuse in pregnancy:

• maternal stress can increase the release of cortisol, which may also harm the development of the unborn’s brain and impact behaviours.
• assaults are associated with an increased rate of miscarriage, stillborn and premature birth, foetal brain injury, and fractured placental separation.
• expectant mother experiencing poor mental health and post-traumatic stress, leading to an overuse of alcohol, prescription or illicit drugs
• unborn child may be at risk of poor development due to the difficulties women may have in attending antenatal appointments.
• weakens the bond between an expectant mother and her unborn child.

Impact of domestic abuse on under five years:

• they are vulnerable to suffering injury, illness and neglect due to them not being able to defend themselves or avoid dangerous situations
• they may be held by the victim during physical assault 
• infant may be deliberately targeted
• in attempt to control abuse victim may neglect the needs of their baby in an attempt to control or reduce the abuse
• lack of attention may result in accidential injuries
• babies living with domestic abuse are subject to poor sleeping habits and excessive screaming
• perpetrator of domestic abuse may shake or be violent towards the baby in hopes to control the crying or behaviour of the baby 
• can effects how the baby's brain develops due to early experiences of fear and stress
• delayed intellectual development
• parent not being able to have capacity to engage or stimulate their infant
• lack of emotional availability 
• have a negative impact on an infants socio-emotional skills
• they may feel unloved, unloveable and/or unwanted
• can become 'touch hungry' and become clingy 
• they may suffer with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) such as; argues a lot, can not sit still, rentless or hyperactive, fears certain animals, places and/or situations
• limited degree of being able to look after themselves 
• lose confidence in adults to look after them or protect them
• excessive irritability
• increased fear of abandonment
• struggle with interactions with others
• more likely to display anger, peer aggression and behave in a challenging way
• may blame themselves 

Why domestic abuse is a child protection issue:

Supporting children:

• give them access to an advocate
• giving children and young people accurate, age-appropriate information about mental health problems can address any misconceptions or fears they may have and can give them the language to express themselves
• children whose parents have mental health problems should have the chance to interact with other children in similar situations 

How to prevent domestic abuse:

Early prevention is important for families as this can help to reduce the factors that can contribute to domestic abuse.

It is also may be helpful for adults to learn positive ways to regulate their emotions such as:

• reflecting on situations
• helping to develop new coping strategies or problem solving strategies to help handle stress
• help build skills to communicate better to help avoid conflict
• learn how to co-parent in a positive way 

It is also important to help children a voice who are being impacted and help to encourage them to speak out. 

Improving practice around domestic abuse:

NSPCC have a podcast on how practitioners can improve their practice around domestic abuse.

In the podcast it provides information on:

• the dynamics of domestic abuse
• understand the effects on children and young people
• learn how to improve your practice around domestic abuse and reduce risks to children

NSPCC also have a podcast on helping children to recover from domestic abuse. 

This podcast features information on:

• what it is like to be working in the frontline with children and families who have experienced abuse
• how current circumstances and the pandemic have impacted domestic abuse
• domestic abuse bill

Multi agency working:

• any assessment must incorporate the individual needs of each child and each adult.
• adult services supporting parents must be included in meetings concerning the implications of the parent/carer’s vulnerabilities on the child/ren.
• children’s support services may also be invited to attend meetings related to the management and support of the adult’s vulnerabilities.
• understand the vulnerability, ask about diagnoses, management, presentations and implications.
• joint plans, contingency plans, reassessment of risks