Paws for Kids
www.pawsforkids.org.uk
Information for Teachers & Parents
Paws for Kids was
established in April 1997 to provide extra support services to women and
children who have fled from violence at home. The two main areas of
support to women escaping domestic violence that
Paws for Kids aims to provide are support for
Children and Pets. The pet fostering service is now available to women and
children in over 40 refuges and safe houses throughout the north- west of
England.
Children
It is now widely
acknowledged that children whose mothers suffer domestic violence
are deeply affected by witnessing domestic violence, whether or not they
are themselves victims of the assaults
 Many
children living in violent households are physically abused themselves and
likely to be at risk of abuse. Research has identified common physical and
behavioural symptoms suffered by children who witness domestic violence.
These include depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity, difficulties with
concentration, eating problems, aggression and some medical symptoms such
as asthma.
A recent study found that 50% of children in
families where there is domestic violence witnessed the abuse of their
mother and/or personally experienced violence from the same man.
Children react in different ways to domestic
violence; children may feel vulnerable and insecure when they don’t feel
safe in their own home and their friendships and potential support
networks can be affected. Children may be isolated and not allowed to
bring friends home and live in fear of others finding out about the
violence at home, they may be frightened that if they tell anyone they
will be taken away from their mothers.
Witnessing domestic violence can and does
affect children's lives.
 The
testimony of survivors of child sexual abuse reveal threats and abuse of
their pets were often used to establish control over them, while also
ensuring their silence, by forcing then to decide between abuse or the
death of their pets. In families experiencing domestic violence there is
evidence that family pets are also used in this manner.
Pets
 Many
women and children that suffer domestic violence have pet animals in the
home. These are often used by abusers as a tool to control, threaten,
intimidate and frighten: by harming or threatening to harm the pets; or
even killing them, which can traumatize children and mothers alike. For
many women and children who leave violent relationships, the options open
to them regarding their pets are very limited. Very few local authorities
provide any facilities for kennelling pets and most refuges are unable to
allow pets to stay. This inevitably causes further distress and trauma for
the family - particularly the children.
Paws for Kids
reduces this distress and pressure on these families
and the suffering of the animals by providing a high-quality pet fostering
service for the animals until their owners are re-housed. Referrals can be
taken directly from women fleeing domestic violence or from any of the
agencies she may contact for help; this can be Refuges, Help-lines, Police
Domestic Violence Units and the Local Authorities Social, Education and
Health Services
How to Get Involved
Teachers
- Motivate children to
think & learn by the introduction of pets in to schools, pet clubs, pet
assemblies, pet days etc.
-
Become a “Friend” of Paws for Kids & keep up to date with
developments of our pets & children's
services.
-
Support Paws for Kids by arranging school fundraising activities.
Parents
- If you live in
the Northwest help promoting respect and responsibility for animals with
your children by becoming a pet
foster carer.
- Keep up to date with
our work by becoming a ‘Friend’ of Paws for Kids
- Publicise Paws for
Kids work, & the domestic violence services in your area.
More information on
the work we do can be found on our web- site
www.pawsforkids.org.uk
www.pawsforkids.org.uk
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