Childhood Experiences of Domestic
Violence
Caroline
McGee
Foreword
by Hilary Saunders
Caroline McGee is a research
officer with the NCPCC Child Protection Research Group. She has written
this book for professionals working with children in mind, but it will be
of interest to anyone who is concerned about domestic violence and its
impact upon mothers and their children. It is based on a project which was
aimed at giving children and young people who have been subject to
domestic violence a voice to be listened to, and as such it is to be
welcomed.
Many mothers believed that
their children did not know what was going on. One shocking finding of
this research shows that children were very much aware, and not talking to
the children about the situation reinforced the idea that the violence was
a shameful family secret. Some children became very protective of their
mothers, others became verbally and physically abusive too, while others
blamed their mother for ‘taking it’.
McGee also looks at the
effects on the mothers: low self-esteem, poor physical health and a
feeling of shame were high on the list. Both mothers and children spoke of
their fear that the children would be removed from the home if they spoke
to Social Services about the violent behaviour.
The inadequacies of some
solicitors and Court Welfare Officers as well as some judges deservedly
come in for criticism, since they frequently showed a lack of knowledge
about domestic violence: legal remedies left a lot to be desired since
they did not always offer women hoped-for solutions.
I would like to have seen more
attention given to abuse of men. McGee believes that where this occurs it
is often in self-defence and a response to long-term abuse of women by
their male partners. I would question this.
The strong message is that
domestic violence comprises more than physical assault and the impact of
psychological and emotional abuse needs greater recognition. The examples
McGee gives makes for grim reading.
McGee’s recommendations for
change are addressed to the public and to both legal and the support
services, which include housing, education, social services, police,
counselling and funding for more refuges. The book includes is a list of
useful contacts. And, McGee urges, we must all listen to the children. We
must hope that at least some suggestions will be taken on board by the
appropriate sources, since there are a lot of women, children (and men)
who need better protection from domestic violence.
© Jill
Curtis 2002
 Jessica
Kingsley Publishers paperback Ł16.95
and $26.95
Available from 
ISBN 1 85302 827 4
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