A support program for children exposed to a batterer.
Kids can usually give detailed accounts of behavior that their
parents never knew they saw." -Peter Jaffe
The Children's Program
Children who live in homes where they are exposed to a batterer are often the neglected victims of violence. Range Women's Advocates' Children's Program, is designed to work on a one-to-one basis with children and mothers in their home or at our office. Program scheduling is flexible to allow the most convenient time and comfortable atmosphere. The main focus of the program is to help children "break the secret" of abuse in their families.
Participants learn to identify their feelings and express them in nonviolent ways, strengthen their self-esteem, and how to take safety precaution.
Mothers of the children also will have an opportunity to meet to discuss their concerns and the importance of nonviolent discipline.
"I wish my mom would leave and take me and my sister to an apartment"
-Fifth grade girl
Who Can Participate
Pre-school to adolescent age children who have been exposed to a batterer in their home and their mothers who agree to participate in the program. Range Women's Advocates recommends that children whose mothers have had or are interested in some form of domestic violence intervention should participate in the children's program. Participation may put children in an uncomfortable or even dangerous position if the mothers do not share, understand, or agree with the attitudes encouraged by the program.
Cost/Fees
Range Women's Advocates provides the programs at no cost to participants
Effects of Violence on Children
More than 3.3 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 witness domestic violence in this country each year.
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Approximately 90% of children are aware of the violence directed at their mother.
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Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the national average in the general population.
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Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys raised in nonviolent homes. There is no evidence however, that girls who witness the mother's abuse have a higher risk of being battered as adults.
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Children from violent homes have higher risks of alcohol/drug abuse and juvenile delinquency.
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Growing up in a violent home has been correlated with substantially higher levels of serious crime convictions later in life. (Walker and Wolovich, 1994)
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Some of the emotional effects of domestic violence on children include: Taking responsibility for the abuse, constant anxiety, guilt for not being able to stop the abuse or loving the abuser, fear of abandonment.
"The child who sees his mother beaten by his father comes to accept violence as a way of life. It goes from one generation to another. . .unless we start focusing on the child now, we won't have enough prison space 18 years from now." -Former Attorney General Janet Reno
"Assisting battered mothers and their children to heal their relationships is one of the most important aspects of promoting recovery. -Erickson and Henderson, 1998
This Project is Funded By:
St. Louis County Community Development Block Grant
State of Minnesota
Private Contributions
