A new service to help children and families affected by domestic abuse and drug and alcohol misuse has launched in Dorset.

The Children’s Society has introduced ‘Reveal’ (Reducing Violence Through Education and Learning), a service that will also provide training for professionals who work with young people affected by these issues. 

The charity provides life-changing support for children and young people across the country who are at their most vulnerable.

Reveal is funded by a grant of nearly £375,000 by the Department for Education and will provide training for up to 150 professionals. The service focuses on early identification of signs of domestic abuse and substance misuse so that a preventative approach can be taken. 

It has launched as part of The Children’s Society’s Weymouth-based WAVES programme, and will have supported around 175 children and young people aged 10 to 18 across Dorset by next April. 

Figures show that domestic abuse and drug and alcohol misuse were factors in a rising number of referrals assessed by children’s social services in Dorset.

The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by Dorset Police rose by nearly 60 per cent, compared with a national rise of 43 per cent.

Services include one to one counselling and group therapy, as well as working with families to offer support. Reveal will also help children to recover from the impact of witnessing or being a victim of domestic abuse involving their parents – both violently or psychologically.

Katie Chantler, Reveal practice manager at The Children’s Society’s WAVES programme, said: “It is a new and different service because historically, programmes around domestic violence have focused on the adult victim. There hasn't been previously been a service across Dorset which focuses on the needs of children and young people. 

"I think it's true to say that in the past, the needs of children were overlooked. 

"With this service, we do group work and we do a lot of work in schools. We tell school staff how to recognise what children may have gone though. 

"Typically, children and young people suffer from low levels of confidence. Domestic abuse and substance misuse are often connected and can have a major impact upon children’s physical and emotional health."

Ms Chantler said that services provided by the charity can really change a child's life. She said: "We find children are better at concentrating, their attendance improves, their confidence and their emotional wellbeing is better.

Children who were affected by drugs and alcohol, either because their parents have an issue with these substances or they themselves are using them, will be given support under the new service. It is hoped the support will help to reduce domestic abuse, substance misuse and anxiety and depression while improving family relationships.

It will build upon the existing support for children and families affected by domestic abuse provided by WAVES which operates in Weymouth and Portland. If successful the approach could be replicated across the country.

Referrals can be made by calling WAVES on 01305 768768 or emailing Katie Chantler at Katherine.chantler@childrenssociety.org.uk.

Claire (not her real name), 16, a young person from Dorset, shared her story of how she and her mum suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Claire's dad over a number of years, and how The Children’s Society helped her to rebuild her confidence and create a new life.

She said: “Most of it was him calling me names, punching and hitting me, and pulling my hair, and he did strangle me.

“I also heard a lot of what was happening to my mum and the arguments whilst I was in my bedroom. 

“I know it was out of the ordinary, most of my friends didn’t go through what I went through.

"My mum knew what was going on but she was at work, we did talk it through and she told me it was wrong, but it was difficult to escape.”

Claire’s mum eventually took the brave decision to leave the family home and the pair received support to move into a refuge.

It was then that Claire began attending weekly group sessions at Pacific WAVES with other young people who had been through a similar ordeal.

Claire said: “It made me realise there were people who could help me and understood what I had been through.

“We mostly talked about my experience and they helped me get my confidence back. I can talk more openly about what happened to me.

“It helped to know that I wasn’t the only one that was going through it. I’m now a lot more confident, doing well at school and looking forward to the future."

Claire hopes that other children and young people who go through a similar ordeal will be confident to tell others what they are going through. 

She said: “Don’t be afraid to speak out and tell someone, it will really help you out in the future.”