Web resource:	http://www.lfcc.on.ca/little_eyes_little_ears.pdf
Type:	Report
Title:	Little eyes, little ears : how violence against a mother shapes children as they grow
Authors:	Baker, Linda Cunningham, Alison
Keywords:	Impact on children and young people;Child protection;Parenting
Year:	2007
Publisher:	Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System (London Family Court Clinic Inc.), London
Notes:	General overview: This Canadian resource for professionals and volunteers who help women and children explains how violence against women affects children, and how the women and children can be supported effectively. Discussion: Children are exposed to abuse of women when they see or hear the violence, see injuries and learn about what happened. They may feel fear, distress, anxiety, self-blame, guilt, anger, grief, confusion, worry and embarrassment. They may learn that violence gets you what you want, that victims are to blame for violence, that women are weak and incompetent, that men are in charge or that when people hurt others they do not get into trouble. They may see the world as an unpredictable and unsafe place where people do not keep their promises and life is unfair. Children use coping strategies such as disconnecting emotionally, fantasising about a happier life, physical avoidance, taking a caretaking role for their siblings or mother, reaching out for help or trying to explain the violent behaviour. Coping strategies can be effective in the short term but costly in the long term. Violence against a mother can damage her parenting skills by making her believe she is inadequate, teaching her children not to respect her and causing her to become depressed. Her coping strategies, such as avoiding being at home or using alcohol or drugs, may be harmful to her children. The most effective way to help children is to support the mother. This can be by ending the violence, finding her safe accommodation and fostering good parenting skills. Assistance can also include counselling and therapy, legal and other advocacy and educational approaches. When a child discloses violence, workers must consider their responsibility to call child protection authorities. They should allow the child to talk, validate his or her feelings and avoid criticising the abusive parent. Reasons children do not disclose are outlined. Workers need to consider how their work is affecting them and develop constructive coping strategies.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/19215
ISBN:	9781895953329
Physical description:	40 p.
Appears in Collections:	Reports

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