Swindon Borough Council has appointed two new specialists to help tackle child on family member violence in Swindon.
The workers – Jenny Munday and Tracey Bayliss – have been appointed as RESPECT workers, as part of a new initiative which works with adolescents who are physically and emotionally violent and with the parents, carers and siblings who are involved.
The council secured £129,400 from the Community Foundation for Swindon and Wiltshire for the two-year project, which will link with GPs, schools and police to raise awareness.
The council says that child on family member violence is becoming more prevalent locally and nationally – young people and their families in Swindon identified as requiring support will be worked with individually.
Methods of engagement that will be used include filming a conversation with the adolescent and then playing it back to other family members, to help build bridges and establish mutual understanding.
Research shows that, if left unaddressed, adolescent violence could continue into adulthood – and is a common reason for the breakdown of families, which can lead to problems associated with non-attendance at school, young people committing crime, families involved in anti-social behaviour, adults being out of work and future relationship issues.
Tracey Bayliss said:
“A lot of families have witnessed difficult situations, but part of this new work is help them realise that their family dynamic does not have to be like that.
“Adolescent on family member violence is something that can happen in any household – it may be thought that it is only confined to lower income families, but that simply isn’t the case.”
Jenny Munday added:
“We want to help families re-think things which are causing them issues.
“Playing to a family a recording of a conversation we have with a child may be the first time that problems are out in the open without an argument.
“It’s also about being solution-focused and changing the cycle, as it may be that families have experienced adolescent violence for generations.”
Part of the funding will aid local research about adolescent on family member violence, using the views of the victims and perpetrators.
Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Fionuala Foley, said:
“This is significant work on a topic that is becoming more of an issue nationally – and it is excellent that we have secured funding locally for some targeted work, which can only be of benefit to those involved.
“The money the council has secured will also allow our Children’s Services department to collect data about young people being violent towards family members, which will be contributed to work in this area.”
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