189 children affected by domestic abuse every month in Doncaster

Around 189 children who are at risk or affected by domestic abuse are referred to children's services every month in Doncaster, shocking new figures have revealed.
Around 189 children who are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse are referred to children's services every month in Doncaster.Around 189 children who are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse are referred to children's services every month in Doncaster.
Around 189 children who are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse are referred to children's services every month in Doncaster.

The data has been released by the Doncaster Children's Services Trust, who say the borough has 'disproportionately high levels' of domestic abuse.

Following this, the Trust is now set to launch a campaign to raise awareness about the harmful effects of domestic abuse on children that will go live across the borough this month.

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This comes after more than 200 representatives from the town’s workforce gathered at the Keepmoat Stadium last week, in a bid to reduce the high levels of domestic abuse in Doncaster.

The campaign and workforce event are part of Growing Futures – a £3.1m programme led by Doncaster Children’s Services Trust that aims to put children and young people at the centre of domestic abuse support.

“Doncaster has some of the highest levels of domestic abuse in the UK,” said Phil Hayden, project manager for Growing Futures at Doncaster Children’s Services Trust (DCST).

He added: “Every month, around 189 children at risk of or affected by domestic abuse are referred to Children’s Social Care.”

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“This is obviously unacceptable, and we are urging everyone to take positive steps to create a better future.

“The campaign is just one strand of the new strategy. To bring about the scale of change we need in Doncaster, we’re bringing together professionals from health, education, youth services, the police and voluntary sectors to work differently, and the response has been very encouraging.

“Domestic abuse is devastating to children, even if they are just witnessing it. Our goal is to build resilience throughout the community, educate youngsters about healthy relationships and behaviours, and encourage perpetrators as well as victims to get the support they need to change.”

Posters, leaflets and buses around the Borough will display the clear message: “Domestic abuse damages children’s lives – life doesn’t have to be like this.” as part of the campaign.

Growing Futures began its ambitious journey in summer 2015, when DCST was awarded funding from the Department for Education.