a guide to supporting children exposed to domestic violence

Welcome
This guide is for mothers who are targets of violence in a relationship. Our goal is
to support you so that you can support your children. Although there are some
references to teens, the guide is directed, in particular, to children of 12 years and
younger.
Some parts of the guide may also be useful to other caregivers, such as stepparents,
foster parents, or male caregivers who have been abused by their partner.
The guide may also help in the care and support of children who have been abused
but have not been exposed to partner violence.
This guide is the first of a three-part series intended to help mothers, caregivers, and
service providers support children who are living with, or have lived with, domestic
violence. Many of these children are living with their mothers. The mothers have been,
or are being, abused by their partners.
We will focus on your well-being and safety
We want to offer ideas on how to care for and support children who are aware of
the abuse and may have been abused themselves.
• If you are a mother of children exposed to violence in the home, your own safety
and comfort is essential for the security and happiness of your child or children.
• Although your children’s needs are different from your own, your children’s wellbeing
is affected if the home is unsafe, or if there is much tension and distress.
• Looking after yourself helps you look after your children’s needs too.
What you find in this guide
• First, this guide looks at what abuse is and what impact it has on mothers and
children.
• Second, the guide looks at what you can do to keep yourself safe and help your
children.
• The guide provides useful resources for support and information.
Remember: You do not have to do everything at once. Take it one step at a time.
The fact that you are working on safety for yourself and your children is a sign of
your courage and strength.
HELPING MY CHILD A GUIDE TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 7