For immediate release
Media Release: Barnardos Welcomes Zero Tolerance Third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Strategy
28 June 2022: Barnardos welcomes the third national domestic, sexual and gender based violence strategy announced by Government today. In particular, the positive steps outlined within the strategy acknowledging: children and young people experiencing domestic violence and abuse as victims in their own right, recognising the need to listen and give power to the voices of children with direct experience, committing to generate further research to understand the scale of the problem across the country among children and young people.
Barnardos works with hundreds of children impacted by domestic violence and abuse in their homes every day. Barnardos provides supports to children living with domestic violence across all our range of services including our early years and family support services; we work to prevent domestic abuse, support families through crisis and into recovery.
The commitment in this strategy to improve the accessibility of services to support children and young people who have experienced domestic violence and abuse is particularly welcome. The trauma of living with domestic violence affects a child in many ways, in how they think, feel and behave. It is vital that support is easily accessible across the country so all children experiencing this issue can get the help they need as soon as possible.
According to Suzanne Connolly, CEO Barnardos, “In the past too often children were forgotten when considering the impact of domestic violence in a home. Today’s launch represents an opportunity to shift that and a commitment to do more to hear the voices of children to make sure that we understand what living in a home with domestic violence and abuse is like for them. We must listen and support children to overcome these experiences, support them through crises and prevent more children from experiencing domestic abuse. Government must listen to children’s voices and allow them to participate in the changes to systems and society needed to address domestic violence in a child centred way.”
For more information for press and media please contact Barnardos Press Office:
Tel: 086 0445966 / [email protected]