Specialized Services for Children Exposed to Family Violence

Referrals

Children can be referred to the Family Violence Counselling program for available services through community agencies and service providers or by a parent/legal guardian.

Eligibility for F.V.C.P. Services and Intake/Assessment

·          Children ages 6 to 12 years of age who have been exposed to any forms of family violence/conflict. 

·          It is important to note that children still residing with the perpetrator would not be accepted as suitable candidates for this group.  This decision is made in the best interests of the safety of the child(ren) with the understanding that while still residing and under the ‘control’ of the perpetrator, the child could be placed at risk of abuse if an attempt is made to integrate the new information learned in group i.e., defining behaviours previously thought to be “normal” as “abusive” with the behaviour patterns and personality traits of the abusive guardian.  It is paramount that the child’s participation does not put him/her or her mother at a greater risk for being abused.

Such children, still residing with the perpetrator and therefore at risk at the time of referral, would be assessed on an individual basis including implementation of an individual safety plan and referral made to appropriate resources/ services in the community.

·          Prior to entering the group, each child is assessed through collection of information related to a detailed history and for the emotional impact/level of acknowledgement/responses to witnessing abuse and exposure to various forms of Family Violence.  Each child and a legal guardian, usually the biological mother, will participate in an assessment process through individual and joint interviews with one or more group facilitators.

·          Upon completion of the intake interviews, the F.V.C.P. staff together with the legal guardian will discuss and determine the services most suited to the needs of the child(ren) and the family as a whole.  For example, Children Exposed to Family Violence Group, Journeys Concurrent Community Group, limited individual counselling, referral to other community agencies/services as appropriate/necessary i.e., safe shelter, parent education, support groups. Or specialized treatment for the family members i.e.; substance abuse, sexual abuse, depression, eating disorder as well as financial and legal resources if needed.

·          In addition, for those children participating in a group, a post group interview will be available to the parent/legal guardian after all the weekly sessions have been successfully completed.  The post group meetings are designed to review the topics their children have experienced throughout the group sessions and to discuss any questions/concerns regarding participation, progression throughout the group sessions.  It also provides an opportunity for the discussion of recommendations for additional services that would be helpful for the child(ren), as well as for the family as a whole.  This meeting is also a further attempt to empower child(ren) and mothers through sharing information, giving positive feedback, respecting children’s and mother’s feelings and perceptions, and helping children and parents realize they have choices.

Group Programs For Children Exposed to

Family Violence

 

The group format involves initial referral, determination of appropriateness of referral, decision on services best suited to issues/needs presented, weekly group sessions and a post group interview/follow up.

Groups ideally involve six to eight children. Children are grouped together creating a group composition according to chronological ages as well as consideration to emotional/developmental stages and guardian status.  Usually the children are placed as far as chronological age in the following groupings:

·         Ages five to seven OR     Ages six to eight

·         Ages eight to ten   

·         Or, Ages ten/eleven to twelve

Again, individual child’s needs, developmental/emotional, grade school levels are all taken in to consideration throughout the stages of determining group composition, topics/activities and implementation. 

A child will enter the group facilitated by a minimum of two facilitators. 

Groups usually meet weekly for 1.5 hour sessions for approximately 10 to 12 weeks consecutively.

  We work closely and collaboratively with the Women’s Emergency staff to ensure children  attend the group which will best meet their needs.

The F.V.C.P. has been providing specialized group services for Children Exposed to Family Violence since 1986. The group for Children Exposed to Family Violence has been implemented as part of the Family Violence Counselling Program since 1986 with changes over time according to progressive ideas, resources, training and qualifications expectations of the facilitators within the program.  These groups have been adjusted over the years to meet the needs of the women and their children in OxfordCounty.

Goals for Group Intervention

Some of the goals for these specialized group programs include helping child participants:

·         Learn new information regarding Family Violence, i.e., they are not alone/other children have experienced exposure to family violence, the family conflict is not their fault

·         Learn and practice implementation of individualized safety plans, learn the importance of protecting self FIRST AND FOREMOST.  Note: the personal protection plan is to equip children with some practical and realistic skills to be used in emergencies.  We hold parents and other adults in a child’s life to be responsible for the child’s safety and well being.  However, under the circumstances of family violence and dangerous situations in which a child’s safety is at risk, we want the children to know that they also need to take care of themselves (go to safe place/call 9-1-1) as opposed to intervening in the Family Violence.  Children need to be able to protect themselves from risks both inside and outside their homes.

·         Define violence/different forms of hurting i.e., inside (emotional), outside (physical) and sexual as well as responsibility for violence

·         Sexual Abuse Prevention (bathing suit areas/I Am The Boss of My Body/NO-GO-TELL)

·         Dating Violence Prevention (older group)

·         Assistance with the development of realistic/individualized support networks i.e., education/awareness of trusted/safe people they can talk to

·         Learn to define, recognize, and the appropriate expression of /coping with feelings including anger

·         Opportunities provided for children to learn to improve coping skills, problem solving and communication skills

·         Opportunities for increased self esteem

·         Opportunities for children to have fun, enjoyment, feel safe in group sessions

 

The group goals, mentioned above, are achieved through a variety of group activities taking place in each session.  Each of the activities reflects a process.  The processes and outcomes are relevant and appropriate for all age groups (HOWEVER the specific group activities used to achieve the goals will vary/be adapted depending on the developmental levels and the specific needs of the group members).