Vol. 14, No. 1 • November 2009
Resources for Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
The Family Violence Prevention Fund recently released Connect: Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence, a trainer’s guide and set of materials designed to help resource families (foster parents and kinship care givers) and others promote resilience among children who have been exposed to violence. The toolkit includes a curriculum, PowerPoints, mini magazines, and optional training videos and Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
The materials are available to download at http://endabuse.org/content/features/detail/1314/. Free copies of the CD can be ordered by e-mailing [email protected].
Send the right messages about violence being a choice, and that the violence is not the child’s fault. Say things like:
- The violence in your home was not your fault, no matter what anyone said.
- It’s not safe to try to stop the violence, even though you might really want to.
- It’s not your fault that you aren’t living with your mom and dad. You didn’t do anything wrong.
- It isn’t your job to protect your mom. Your job is to keep yourself safe, and to help keep your brothers/sisters safe.
- I don’t think your father is a bad person, but his violence is not okay. However you feel about him is okay — it’s normal.
- If you’re angry at your mom, that’s okay too.
- It’s important to talk about how you’re feeling. (Help them think of two or three people they could talk to).
Reprinted from: Family Violence Prevention Fund. (2009). Connect: Supporting children exposed to domestic violence. Accessed Oct. 1, 2009 from <http://endabuse.org>
Copyright � 2009 Jordan Institute for Families
