You may not be the only one in your household needing to heal. Many abuse survivors have children who have witnessed or experienced violence and feel confused, scared, or helpless as a result. Of the five million children witnessing domestic violence each year in the U.S., many struggle later with significant psychological problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, learning difficulties, and problems with attention and memory.
Children who experience or witness domestic violence are also three times more likely to repeat this violent cycle in adulthood. HAWC’s services aim to help domestic violence victims feel empowered and capable of protecting their children from these harmful effects of abuse, in addition to providing children the opportunity to grow and play during every step of the healing process.
In partnership with North Shore Medical Center, HAWC’s Parent-Child Trauma Recovery Program builds trust between children of domestic violence and their non-offending parent. For 12-14 weeks, trauma-informed care, evidence-based therapy, and HAWC’s emphasis on empowerment come together to reduce trauma symptoms in children and improve parent-child relationships at this pivotal time of healing. HAWC also offers discussion and support groups meant to guide children and their parents on the journey towards healing.
In an effort to create an environment that can reintroduce kids who have witnessed or experienced trauma to the joys of childhood, HAWC also works to connect families with daycare services, so that clients can be confident that their children are in safe and nurturing hands when they are seeking employment, beginning a new job, or working overtime to gain financial independence. In addition to this daycare voucher program, HAWC provides financial support to clients looking to reintegrate their children in the greater community through activities such as ballet, summer camp, and little league.
If you are interested in any of these programs, call HAWC’s 24-Hour Hotline at any time of the day or week to set up an appointment with a HAWC advocate. From there, if appropriate, you will be referred to these programs.
1-800-547-1649
HAWC’s Parent Child Trauma Recovery Program is funded by:
Essex County Community Foundation
Edward S. & Winifred Moseley Foundation
First Church in Wenham
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
Thomas Anthony Pappas Charitable Foundation
Reference
- (February 21, 2014). 10 Startling Statistics about Children of Domestic Violence.Childhood Domestic Violence Association. Retrieved from
https://cdv.org/2014/02/10-startling-domestic-violence-statistics-for-children/