OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Ninety percent of youth in the child welfare system report having been exposed to at least one traumatic event in their life. Many have experienced more. Each traumatic event can cause invisible wounds that can change how a child develops.

Witnessing domestic violence is one such event, an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can have a lifelong impact.

Children and youth who have been exposed to domestic violence are more likely than their peers to experience a range of difficulties. These challenges may include behavioral and emotional struggles that impact their social relationships with children and adults, cognitive problems that interfere with skill development and school performance, and long-term physical and mental health problems.

DCFS reports that children who witness domestic violence can suffer severe emotional and developmental difficulties that are similar to those of children who are direct victims of abuse. In addition, the CDC has reported that in homes where violence between partners occurs, there is a 45% to 60% chance of co-occurring child abuse, a rate 15 times higher than the average.

How Does Shelter Help Children Who Have Experienced Trauma? Shelter’s professional staff is trained to provide trauma-informed care. This approach shifts the focus from asking “what’s wrong with you?” to understanding “what happened to you?”

All staff complete Northwestern University’s Think Trauma Training. This interactive training educates our professionals about the impact of trauma on the development and behavior of youth in the child welfare system. It emphasizes that the way we explain behavior is linked to how we handle it. The training includes modules on coping strategies, secondary traumatic stress, treatment planning, and staff self-care. Our Clinical team provides counseling to children and famililes in our programs, elminating barriers of cost and transportation by providing free services on-site. Understanding the impact of trauma gives Shelter staff the tools to help the young people in our care build healthier lives and better futures.

Click here to learn more about Shelter’s Clinical Program.