It’s a question no parent wants to ask themselves, but it’s a question we need to face: are the ways we deal with conflict, with anger, and with love in our own homes affecting what our children will accept in the future?
Children who grow up witnessing domestic abuse are more likely to experience it themselves as adults. It’s a heartbreaking pattern, but it’s one we can break.
What Does Domestic Abuse Look Like in a Home?
It’s not always hitting. It can be:
- Shouting, insults, and name-calling
- Controlling behaviour – who your child is friends with, what they wear
- Gaslighting – making your child doubt their own feelings and memories
- Threats of violence or self-harm
- Isolating your child from friends and family
The Damage It Can Do
Children who are exposed to this kind of environment often:
- Develop anxiety and depression
- Struggle with relationships and trust
- Feel guilty or responsible for the abuse
- Become aggressive or withdrawn at school
- Have difficulty learning and concentrating
But There’s Hope – You Can Help Break the Cycle
- Get support: Contento Social Homes is here to help, not just with a safe place to stay, but with counselling and support for both women and their children to start healing.
- Talk to your children: Explain that abuse is NEVER okay, it’s not their fault, and you love them.
- Model healthy relationships: Show your children that disagreements can be resolved without cruelty.
- Teach them about consent and boundaries: Emphasize their right to say no, and respect others’ choices.
Important Resources:
- Contento Social Homes Referrals: 073 0509 2335, referrals@contentohomes.com
- Office: 0121 451 1464, info@contentohomes.com
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (NSPCC website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/)
- Childline: 0800 1111 (Childline website: https://www.childline.org.uk/)
Every child deserves a childhood filled with love, not fear. Let’s raise a generation that knows their worth and demands nothing less.
