Research shows that children who grow up in a family or home where there is domestic abuse are negatively affected by the environment in which they live and the violence they witness, or are subjected to.

The issue of children living with domestic abuse has only relatively recently been recognised as a matter of concern in its own right.

Sandwell Council and the wider Safer Sandwell Partnership and Local Safeguarding Children Board are working together to highlight that safeguarding children is everyone's business and for everyone to take responsibility for this and tackle this issue head-on.

Sandwell Organisation Against Domestic Abuse (SOADA) is one of the country's first dedicated teams to help victims of domestic violence. It has experts from the council's children's services, adult services & health and community safety divisions, police, Sandwell Women's Aid, Sandwell Homes and health agencies. SOADA aims to support both victims of domestic abuse and their children by working closely with all relevant agencies.

It has a dedicated helpline 0845 359 7525.

Research shows that the consequences of domestic abuse may vary for each child. At school their work may suffer. Their attendance may be poor. It may affect their behaviour either by becoming aggressive or becoming withdrawn. Older children may use drugs or alcohol to cope, or in worse cases turn to self-harm. In the longer term, some of these children may become victims or perpetrators in future relationships. In the most extreme cases, children have been murdered by the perpetrator of the abuse.

If you wish to find out more about how domestic abuse  affects children who witness it and what support exists within Sandwell to help them.