We understand that parenting is never easy. But if you add domestic abuse into the equation things can become even more difficult and complicated, both for both you and your children.
The effect of abuse such as pain, distress, anger, irritability, fear, reduced mobility and hospitalisation can affect your ability meet your children's needs.
Violence can damage the mother – child relationship.
Belittling, undermining, insulting and hitting a mother in front of their children may affect the respect they have for their mother's authority, and her ability to exercise authority over them.
Witnessing abusive behaviour first-hand can make it feel 'okay' to use violence as a way of communicating. Young people may even go onto to abuse their mothers or siblings themselves.
RISE can provide specialist support to help mothers regain their confidence in parenting, and renew the bonds with their children. Our staff are trained in a parenting aid called the Parent/Child Game, which uses technology to help grow your parenting skills.
It can help you to:
We offer parenting support that's one-to-one, or for you and children together.
Our family work focuses on building relationships between the parent and the child that's been damaged or undermined by the impact of domestic violence or abuse. It can include art, music, discussions and sensory-based activities, and is based around your family’s individual needs.
We can also offer advice and support around parenting issues such as access contact.
If you are a parent, here are some of the other ways we can help you and your children:
RISE offers special services to help children, young people and families affected by domestic abuse, such as creative arts psychotherapy and group-work. Find out more here.
If you are in immediate danger you should call 999. However it’s a good idea to put together a safety plan, so you are prepared for what to do in an emergency. Find out some of the safety measures you can take by visiting our What to do in an emergency and Ways to stay safe pages.
Leaving an abusive relationship is complex and never easy. Navigating the Family Court and negotiating custody and access to children can be long, expensive and very confusing. Find out about some of the ways we can help you by visiting our Legal help with children page.
When a child sees or directly experiences abuse it is important to talk about it, even though it can be both heart-breaking and confusing. Adult silence may be seen as a signal to keep quiet themselves, or feel that it is a shameful secret. Find out how to approach this on the Talking to your child page.
