DAPHNE III Programme – Project Idea – Contact Details

Project Name: Empowerment of Children and Young People
Partner Search lead contact: Margaret Moore
Contact details: mmoore +44 (0)1524 582045

Project Description

The aim of this project is to tackle a focussed range of issues affecting children and young people who:-

• have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse within their home setting
• are now in safe situations but affected by previously witnessing domestic abuse
• are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse within their own intimate relationships.

Domestic abuse not only has damaging effects on the victim but also children who are often present when domestic abuse takes place and who have to suffer the consequences. Children can be affected in many ways by living with domestic violence/abuse. Research shows that when growing up in a violent household, violence can become normalised behaviour, with some children often going on to commit other violent crimes or become domestic abuse perpetrators themselves.

Project Objectives

1. Provision of practical support concerning the physical safety of children and young people who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse within their home setting.
2. Children and young people who are now in safe situations but affected by previously witnessing domestic abuse can be affected by low self-esteem or confidence, poor social skills, lower than average academic achievement leading to reduced life or career opportunities, behavioural issues, lack of trust or inability to trust, distorted attitudes or beliefs – gender roles and what is acceptable behaviour, low expectancy in terms of personal goals in life or career, increased vulnerability toward abusive relationships (as victims or perpetrators), mental health issues and/or physical health issues.

3. Recent research indicates that the issue of children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse within their own intimate relationships is increasing (girls aged 16-19 are now the group most at risk of domestic abuse).

These objectives will be delivered through structured targeting of children and young people – schools, youth organisations and community projects such as young homeless, pupil referral units, Connexions etc. to deliver group and one-to-one work:-

• Awareness raising re healthy relationships versus abusive relationships
• Challenging attitudes around gender roles, looking at external factors which influence these attitudes – early life experiences, role models (positive and negative), media, peer pressure
• Provide skills, tools and coping strategies which promote healthy choices and alternatives to becoming victims and/or perpetrators
• Gender specific groups delivering the above
• Positive activities, broadening experience, choice, options

Lead Partner

Lancaster City Council leads a partnership of experienced professionals and organisations working in the Lancaster District area.

Partner Search Profile (type of partners you require for skills/experience/expertise and their expected roles in the Project)

Partners who have experience in working with and mentoring children and young people through group and one-to-one work – see project objectives above.

European intervention rates

The European Commission will provide up to 80% of the total project budget.

Project Duration

24 months

Contact

Interested organisations are asked to email mmoore by 3rd February with contact details, organisation details, your experience in this field and what your involvement will contribute to this project.