New helpline to help youngsters suffering from domestic abuse

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline has launched a new web chat support service for children and young people in Monklands experiencing domestic abuse.

It is the first dedicated, national web chat service in the country specifically for youngsters who have experienced domestic abuse and it will be staffed by the specially trained workers who currently run the equivalent service for adult survivors of domestic abuse and forced marriage.

The new web chat will support children who are experiencing domestic abuse at home, as well as young people who experience abuse in their own relationships.

The innovative new service has been funded by the National Emergencies Trust and was developed in partnership with children and youths who have experienced domestic abuse themselves.

Twenty-five young people from across Scotland, supported by local Women’s Aid groups, advised on the design, operating hours and publicity materials for the new web chat.

The service will operate between 5pm and 10pm daily, and be available for youngsters across the whole of Scotland.

This pilot project will run for four months initially, with the hope to develop it further after evaluation of the trial.

Lydia Okroj, manager of Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline, said:“this new service is a response to what we know to be true – that at least one in every five children in Scotland is experiencing domestic abuse.

“These young people deserve the same kind of specialist support that we offer to adults experiencing domestic abuse, and we are delighted to be able to offer that much needed support .

“This may be the first time a child or young person has spoken to an adult about their experiences.

“We will listen to them, provide practical, safety planning tips and help them establish a relationship with a Women’s Aid worker or other services in their local area, if they want that.

“We want children and young people experiencing domestic abuse to know that they are not alone.”