If you are a concerned parent

If you are a parent concerned about a child or young person who may be experiencing domestic abuse:

If you are concerned that you or your child are at risk of harm you should contact the police and obtain urgent legal advice by calling 999.

For advice, information and support, contact the Live Fear Free Helpline – a free, 24/7 service that supports everyone, whether you are experiencing abuse yourself, or are concerned about someone you know, the helpline can listen to your concerns and signpost if necessary.

24/7 Call: 0808 80 10 800

24/7 Text: 078600 77 333

Email: [email protected]

Web chat (scroll to the bottom of this page): https://gov.wales/live-fear-free/domestic-abuse-wales 

There is a common myth that Children’s Services (social workers) will automatically place children in care if they come from a home where domestic abuse is happening. This is very rare. Children’s Services, social workers and other professionals have national guidance on their duty to take special care to help safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people who may be living in particularly stressful circumstances, which include families where there is domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. 

Further information about Child Arrangement Orders and the Family Courts are available from Rights of Women and Cafcass Cymru.

Signs that your teenager may be in an abusive relationship:

Teenage relationships abuse can be hard to spot for both the young person and the parent. Often young people have ‘romantic’ views of love, little experience of relationships and can be under pressure from a young age to be in relationships.

Some indicators might include:

• isolation – no longer spending time with you or their usual circle of friends
• being withdrawn or quieter than usual
• being angry or irritable when asked how things are
• anxiety around ‘phone-free time’
• sudden unexplained personality changes, mood swing and seeming insecure
• making excuses for a girlfriend/boyfriend
• physical signs of injury
• truancy
• drug and alcohol dependency
• self-harm/self-injury and suicidal thoughts

Attitudes and behaviours to look out for –

Believing that:

• they have the right to control others
• displaying masculinity through physical aggression is okay
• they have the right to demand intimacy
• they will lose respect if attentive and supporting to parents/carers
• men and women are not equal

What you can do to help:

• talk to them about healthy relationships, e.g. what should they expect
• talk to them generally – build trust and openness with your teenager
• model healthy relationships
• get them specialist support – from local domestic abuse services
• give them advice on calling ChildLine 0800 11 11
• give them the Live Fear Free Helpline number 0808 80 10 800

Source:  ‘Do you know if your teenager is in an abusive relationship?’ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/506389/parents-leaflet__1_.pdf