Children and Young People
Last updated May 23, 2023
Children and young people can be direct or indirect victims of DFV. Some types of direct and indirect victimisation can include:
- Neglect
- Physical abuse,
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Financial or economic abuse
- Stalking
- Witnessing DFV
The biopsychosocial development of children and young people is negatively impacted when they are direct or indirect victims of DFV. Crucially, children and young people can experience negative impacts to their biopsychosocial development when there is DFV present in the home, even if they do not directly witness any abuse or violence.
Clinical Indicators of DFV in Children and Young People
- Aggressive behaviour and language
- Speech problems and developmental delay
- Medical needs not being met
- Malnutrition and poor growth
- Anxiety, appearing nervous and withdrawn
- Difficulty adjusting to change
- Psychosomatic illness
- Restlessness
- Bedwetting and sleeping disorders
- ‘Acting out’, such as cruelty to animals
Where children or young people are being directly abused, they may also display some of the clinical indicators present in adult victim/survivors of DFV.
Supporting Parents to Recognise Impacts of DFV on Children
Practitioners who can recognise the signs of DFV and hold curious, respectful, non-judgemental conversations with parents are well-placed to provide critical prevention and early intervention support for children’s safety and mental health (McIntosh, Wells, & Lee, 2016).
Whilst these conversations can be challenging, they can be crucial in supporting young people experiencing direct or indirect impacts of DFV.
Some conversation prompts include:
- How would you describe your relationship with (child’s name)?
- How do you think (child’s name) would describe their relationship with you?
- What is important to you as a parent?
- What kind of relationship do you hope for with (child’s name)?
- What would you like (child’s name) to learn from you?
- How do you hope (child’s name) will remember you when they look back on this time?
- What is important to you in your relationship with (child’s name)?
- How has their other parent’s use of violence undermined your relationship with (child’s name)?
- What has helped to limit the effects of his use of violence on your relationship with (child’s name)?
- How have you and (child’s name) managed to have a relationship despite the violence?
- How would you like to continue to nurture your relationship with (child’s name)?
Adapted from PERCS conversation guide: Example questions for mothers living with family violence (Emerging Minds, n.d.)
Children and Young People at Risk of Harm
Where children and/or young people are at risk of serious harm, you must complete a mandatory report to Child Protection. If you are unsure if you need to complete a mandatory report to Child Protection, complete the NSW Mandatory Reporter Guide for clarification.
Where it is safe to do so, inform the victim/survivor of your requirements as a mandatory reporter, and support their participation in the reporting process.
When making a mandatory report, ensure it is strengths based with a structural lens by including:
- Actions of the victim/survivor to reduce risk of harm
- Details of the safety plan as it relates to the victim/survivor
- Any referrals that have been made,
- Services the family is currently accessing
- That you have discussed with the victim/survivor the impacts of DFV, and whether the victim/survivor understands these impacts
NSW Mandatory Reporter Guide
Access the Guide to determine whether a report is required.
NSW Child Protection Helpline
To speak with a specialist, make a report, or discuss an outcome of the Mandatory Reporter Guide, contact the Child Protection Helpline Call: 132 111
PERCS Conversation guide
A psychosocial discussion tool for practitioners working with parents. It supports collaborative, respectful conversations around the impact of DFV on children’s mental health and wellbeing.
References
- Emerging Minds. (n.d.). PERCS conversation guide: Example questions for mothers living with family violence.
- McIntosh, J. E., Wells, Y., & Lee, J. (2016). Development and validation of the Family Law DOORS. Psychological Assessment, 28(11), 1516-1522.