AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Thursday

18 November 2010

8:30:00 PM
213734

Welsh children abuse record high

Over one thousand of children have been in women's refuges in Wales last year, the country's first national domestic violence conference has heard.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Welsh Women's Aid had the event at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday in order to highlight the hidden victims of violence in the home, children. Children's Commissioner for Wales Keith Towler and Jane Davidson AM, David Spice, vice-chair of the British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, were among speakers.

Department of Health statistics announced that domestic abuse had affected 750,000 children within the Britain over a year. In up to 90 percent of the cases, children were close to the scene of violence against their parent.

Paula Hardy, chief executive for Welsh Women's Aid, said: "Half the residents in Women's Aid refuges in Wales are children and we hope that through this conference awareness is raised around the services that they should be entitled to."

Towler also talked about the result of children being caught up domestic violence on their emotions. He addressed to the legislation available to protect them.

Cheryl Martin, charity's children's services arm worker, said: "Too often children are the silent, hidden victims of domestic abuse. They can be badly affected by domestic abuse in the home and the impact on their development, education, health and social skills can be devastating.

"Welsh Women's Aid and Women's Aid groups across Wales work to minimise the impact that domestic abuse has on the lives of women and their children, working with children living in refuges and a larger number living in local communities."

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