Legal News

Islington Council in north London says that identifying violent behaviour in schoolchildren may help stop the cycle of domestic violence.

The council says that schoolchildren in the borough who start to show signs of aggressive behaviour after witnessing or being victim to domestic violence are to receive special support as part of a new strategy to tackle violence against women and girls in Islington.

Council staff working with vulnerable young people in the borough observe a clear link between children seeing or experiencing domestic violence in the home – and subsequently getting caught up in the criminal justice system.

Islington Council will work with local organisations to identify aggressive behaviour among schoolchildren – who may themselves have been victims of domestic violence – in the hope of preventing them from becoming abusive in later life.

The council says that studies show that the single best predictor of children becoming either perpetrators or victims of domestic violence later in life is whether they grow up in a home where domestic violence occurs. Young people from abusive homes are also more likely to exhibit signs of aggression.

Islington Council’s preventative approach is set out in the borough’s new strategy – launched with the police and partners – for tackling violence against women and girls. Proposals include piloting the NSPCC’s “DART” scheme, which supports mothers and children to speak with each other about domestic violence and strengthen their relationships.

As part of the scheme, victims of domestic violence have the chance to meet other mothers and children who have lived through similar trauma and share their experiences. The council aims to introduce the scheme after Easter 2017.

The new strategy also outlines plans to train children’s workers so they are in a better position to identify and respond to other forms of violence against women and girls – such as “sexting” and online exploitation, which may be less obvious than physical abuse, but can be equally harmful, says the council.

Islington Council’s executive member for community safety, Councillor Andy Hull, said:

“Violence against women and girls is everyone’s business and should never be tolerated, in any form, by any of us – making Islington a fairer place must also mean making it a safer place for everyone who lives here, especially in their own homes. As a community, we stand alongside survivors of such abuse and are determined to support them to report these crimes, rebuild their lives and stay safe – while we do even more to ensure its perpetrators are brought to justice.

With the support and expertise of partner organisations, we want to make sure children who witness or experience abuse at home get the help they need and do not grow up thinking violence is normal or acceptable – breaking the cycle of violence and preventing victims from becoming perpetrators means identifying abuse at the earliest opportunity and working together, as a community, to intervene.”

The council’s new strategy is supported by the provision of specialist services, including recovery group work for parents and children, clinics dealing with female genital mutilation (FGM) and healthy relationships programmes in local schools.

Duncan Lewis Family and Child Care Solicitors

Duncan Lewis family and childcare solicitors can advise victims of domestic abuse on how to tackle the issues within the law, including advising on controlling or coercive behaviour, domestic abuse between partners or spouses or same sex partners, child-parent domestic abuse, elder abuse, domestic abuse between friends or flatmates, and financial abuse.

Duncan Lewis is also able to advise on FGM, forced marriage, honour crimes and dowry disputes – and advises on family law under the laws of England and Wales and Islamic law.

For expert legal advice on tackling domestic abuse, call Duncan Lewis domestic violence solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409.

For urgent legal help with a domestic violence matter, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607, where a family lawyer is available 24/7.