Swindon schools hit key milestone in promoting healthy relationships

Over 500 teachers and school staff across Swindon have been empowered to spot the signs of domestic abuse.

They have also been given help to understand how to offer support to child and adult victims of domestic abuse in a sensitive and supportive way.

Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SWA/SDASS) runs a specialist programme working with schools across Swindon to equip teachers and school staff with the knowledge they need to identify and support children in their school who may be at risk of domestic abuse.

The HOPE Programme has been designed by experts in supporting children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.  

It is accessible by people of all ages - from primary schools to college students - and has now been delivered to 513 school staff in Swindon, with a resulting impact on thousands of school pupils in the town.

Emma Maclennan, CYP Manager for SDASS, said: “Alarming statistics show that young people aged between 16 and 19 are the most likely to experience domestic abuse, but we know that it can actually begin before that.

“We know that one in seven children have lived with domestic abuse and that it can have major long-lasting impact on children’s development and outcomes.  

"Young people who have experienced domestic abuse can show challenging behaviours, sometimes physical. They can become withdrawn or anxious, or develop addictions to drugs, alcohol or start self-harming.  

"That’s why if we are going to stop this cycle and work towards a society without abuse, we need to do so through education and early intervention.”

SDASS’ HOPE Programme engages with schools to ensure their workforce is educated, making schools on the programme a safe place for victims, and preventing future domestic abuse through education on healthy relationships.

“Over the last year, the HOPE programme has really accelerated and been wholeheartedly welcomed by the schools involved,” Emma said.  

“We have a number of schools ready to receive their award for their work on healthy relationships and domestic abuse support in the New Year and we’ve been working with hundreds of young people across Swindon to help them spot unhealthy behaviours in their own relationships now and in the future.”

For more information on the HOPE Programme and support available for children and young people, people can visit www.swadomesticabuse.org