How Can We Keep Our Kids Safe?

I am a huge fan of Domestic Shelters. Not only can they help abuse victims find shelters all over the United States, they also post pertinent articles about domestic violence every week in their blog. They recently published a resource called What About My Kids?

This subject is very close to my heart. I have heard too many sad stories about abuse survivors who are fighting their abusers in court for the custody of their children. I used to be shocked to hear that an abuser who had committed hideous crimes against his/her partner and their children would get partial or even full custody of those same children. Sadly, I have moved beyond shock. I am still sickened by these stories, but no longer surprised – it happens too often. I have written many blogs about this, trying to give abuse survivors hope. Today, I would like to share some resources listed by Domestic Shelters.

Help for Children of Domestic Violence

What About My Kids? first includes articles to help children who have witnessed domestic violence. One of these articles, When Children Witness Violence, talks about the fact that boys that witness violence in the home are twice as likely (as boys who haven’t witnessed violence) to abuse their partners in adulthood. What can a parent do to help prevent this? Domestic Shelters writes:

“According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), the most important step to take when children are exposed to domestic violence is to remove them from the situation and place them where they feel safe, as well as making sure they see their abused parent or caregiver is safe. Also, helping them to plan strategies for staying safe gives them a sense of control and helps them feel less vulnerable.

“Next, counseling is recommended. Based on their age, this could include group counseling or support groups, individual counseling and counseling in tandem with the non-offending parent. Says NTCSN, ‘For most children, a strong relationship with a parent is a key factor in helping a child heal from the effects of domestic violence.’”

In another article, entitled Brain Changes, they list some actions that can help the brain of a child who has witnessed violence heal:

“Helping Kids Heal

The first step in helping kids recover from exposure to domestic violence is to end the exposure. “It’s a terrible thing no matter who is being violent, but when it’s a person you count on to be your protector, it’s profoundly unsettling to your basic sense of safety and security in the world,” says Cohen. Once they are in a safe place, there are various strategies that can help children who were exposed to domestic violence begin to heal.

• Give them lots of love and affection.
• Let them have their own feelings.
• Be reassuring but honest.
• Share your coping strategies.
• Encourage gentle physical activity.
• Have them care for an animal.
• Interrupt inappropriate behavior.
• Let them play.
• Help them find therapy.
• Respect their feelings about themselves, related to the abuser.”

Court and Custody Issues

What About My Kids? has several articles on how to deal with family court and custody issues. One is called Mom’s: Protect Yourself in Court. In this article, they give some very good advice. This is something I have never heard before:

“Watch out for the set-up. “There are certain ways abusers will set mothers up outside of court,” says Shanahan. Tweet This

One way is by suggesting, in a seemingly caring manner, that their ex-partner seeks some sort of therapy or treatment for an issue, like depression or alcohol dependency. But once in court, they’ll suggest to the judge that the mother has issues that makes them unfit.

“That’s not to say, of course, that survivors should avoid seeking counseling or therapy when needed. But it helps to have a domestic violence advocate as an ally to testify the survivor was receiving this help as a way to deal with the aftermath of abuse, and to see a therapist trained specifically in domestic violence issues.”

They also suggest:

• Keep your cool in court.
• Be willing to do your homework.
• Do whatever you can to not give up.

What About My Kids? lists several books that can help non-abusive parents get and do the best for their kids:

Prosecuted but Not Silenced. A powerful documentary book about a mother and daughter’s tragic involvement with the judicial system when there were allegations of child sexual abuse. This riveting book is a must read for all those working in the fields of domestic violence, child abuse, or child trauma so they can realize what does occur.

Divorced from Justice: The Abuse of Women and Children by Divorce Lawyers and Judges. The author of this book explodes the myth that divorce laws were created to protect women and children financially and reveals how all women, from poor and working-class women to professional women of affluent means, are too often at the mercy of divorce lawyers.

From Madness to Mutiny: Why Mothers Are Running from the Family Courts– and What Can Be Done About It. This book chronicles cases in which mothers who believe their children have been sexually abused by their father are disbelieved, ridiculed or punished for trying to protect them. All too often the mother, in such a case, is deemed the unstable parent, and her children are removed from her care, to be placed in foster care or even with the father credibly accused of abusing them.

Some Final Thoughts

Being a parent should be a joyous blessing. Psalm 127:3 – 5 says:

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.

But too often for abuse victims and survivors, trying to protect their children from their abusive parent is a nightmare.

Question: Have you had to fight for your children’s safety? What did that look like?

If you are currently in this situation, I pray these resources can be helpful to you.

Bless you all,

Caroline