Domestic abuse hurts everyone
Picture found in Refuge domestic violence resource manual for employers
About 75,000 children witness domestic abuse every year
In 50% of known domestic abuse cases, children were also directly abused by the same perpetrator
In 90% of cases of domestic abuse, children are in the same or next room
In the 12 months to September 2014, there were a total of 591 children living in the households of the cases discussed at Multi- Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) in East Sussex
“I can’t really remember a time when mum and dad haven’t been arguing. I feel like the arguments just keep running inside my head, when I’m at school and when I go to bed at night”
“I just wish the fighting would stop. When it suddenly goes quite, I lie in bed wondering how mum is, but I’m too scared to go down. If only I wasn’t so scared I could do something to help. It makes me feel so bad”
“Dad and me are okay together some of the time. He bought me a games console last year. But when it’s time to go home after school I feel my stomach getting tight. I know I’ll be in big trouble if I’m late but sometimes anything seems better than going home”
Easily startled Complaints of physical symptoms such as tummy aches
Temper tantrums Behaving much younger than they are
Withdrawn from other people Lowered sense of self- worth
Playing truant or bullying others Playing truant or bullying others Eating disorders
Domestic abuse hurts everyone
Changes in the way that an employee dresses i.e. excessive clothing in Summer
Depressed or Suicidal Unexplained injuries
Persistently late without explanation
High absenteeism rate without explanation Regularly needing to leave work early
Withdrawn
Low self-esteem Panicky or anxious
Injuries which seem inconsistent with explanation given Uncharacteristic behaviours i.e. distracted, unable to concentrate
Increased hours for no apparent reason Receipt of repeated upsetting calls, s or faxes
Secretive regarding home life Flowers or gifts sent by partner for no apparent reason
Change in the pattern or the amount of make up worn
Avoids lunch breaks or socialising at end of working day Seems frightened of partner
Changes in behaviour Obsessed with time
Needing regular time off for ‘appointments’ Changes in quality of work performance for unexplained reasons
Embarrassed about injuries or home situation Repeated injuries such as bruises that are explained away
Sleeping or eating disorders Substance use or dependence
Frequent, sudden or unexpected medical problems or sickness absences