A new training video was launched in Derry today to focus on how children are affected by and deal with domestic violence.
| We hope this video helps schools and other agencies recognise the signs and effects of domestic violence on children... |
The hard-hitting video, Hurting, Coping, Growing, has been produced by the Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation. It involves a compilation of poetry, art work and animation.
"There has been a lot of research on the effects of domestic violence on children in Northern Ireland," said Charlene Craig, NIWAF information services worker. "We hope this video helps schools and other agencies working with children recognise the signs and effects of domestic violence on children and provide a way to help them."
Ms Craig said there was a need for greater awareness of how children were affected by domestic violence. She revealed that the Women's Aid Federation shelters had housed more than 14,000 children in the last ten years.
"Our helpline received 26,000 calls for advice and support. Seventy per cent of the calls involved children." she said. "This figure is actually very low because there are thousands more who do not seek help from Women's Aid."
The new video was launched today (March 7 2001) during a ceremony at the Nerve Centre.
About the team
This article was produced by Lisa Skinner (17) and Thomas Kielty (15).
