Schools in Kent are being offered training to support pupils affected by domestic abuse.

The training is being offered following the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill being passed into law yesterday, allowing children to be seen as victims independently from parents.

Look Ahead, which also runs women’s refuges in west Kent, believes the training is vital in the wake of the rise in cases of domestic abuse during lockdown.

A number of schools have been approached to take part in training programme run by Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs).

The training for teachers will focus on the steps to take if a pupil confides in them about domestic abuse at home, or if the school is informed by police that a pupil has witnessed an incident.

Rebecca Swaine, one of the Look Ahead advisors who is delivering the online training, said: “Schools often don’t know how to respond and who to contact when domestic abuse has affected a pupil.

“The IDVA service is a very good starting point. We offer a completely confidential service and can support with counselling and practical advice.

“IDVAs have all the information at their fingertips about available help, including police or GP support.”

Thousands of children are affected by domestic abuse every year. Women’s Aid estimates that in 2019-20 refuge services in England supported 10,592 women and 12,710 children, while in the same year 103,969 women and 124,762 children received support from community services, such as those run by IDVAs.

Kent Police also recorded a rise in reports of domestic abuse against men during lockdown, 544 more than the previous year.

Since the first lockdown in March 2020 a total of 44 children have been supported in Look Ahead’s west Kent refuges.

Rebecca said: “Look Ahead welcomes the fact that the effects of domestic abuse on children will now be acknowledged in law. For too long children have been the forgotten victims in domestic abuse and if they do not receive the appropriate support at the time, the effects on their lives can be long-lasting.

“Our course will equip teachers with all the tools they need at their fingertips to ensure that pupils are fully supported to deal with what they have experienced and help them to move forward positively.”

Rosie Duffield's speech in the commons during the second reading of the bill

The Domestic Abuse Bill which prompted the training programme was first announced by Theresa May in 2019 but was later dropped as general elections interrupted the bills progression.

During the second reading of the original bill, Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield made headlines after sharing her experience of domestic abuse in the House of Commons.

It was later brought back to the house as Boris Johnson's government made a promise to do so if elected.

As well as considering children as victims in their own right, the bill has expanded the definition of domestic abuse to include emotional, coercive or controlling behaviour, and economic abuse.

Local authorities have also been placed with the duty of housing victims and all eligible homeless victims now automatically have ‘priority need’ for homelessness assistance.

This will be a huge step for women like those who spoke to KentOnline about being turned away from councils after being deemed 'not homeless' and sent home to their abusers.

Look Ahead is a part of Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Services (KIDAS) and has been commissioned by Kent County Council.

To find out more about our courses for schools, or if you are concerned about domestic abuse, can call the Look Ahead referral line on 03330 104 660 or email kentdomesticabuse@lookahead.org.uk

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