- I am writing to provide written evidence in
response to the consultation, specifically the “evidence
focusing on the effectiveness of Welsh Government policies and
programmes that aim to reduce the adverse impact on the
child” of domestic violence during the first 1,000
days of life (defined as pregnancy through to a child's 2nd
birthday).
- By way of background, I am a Reader in
Criminology at Cardiff University. I have conducted a wide range of
research projects on effective responses to violence against women
and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence over the past 20
years. I was the lead author of the Task and Finish group report
which provided the blueprint for the Welsh Government’s White
Paper proposals leading to the Violence against Women, Domestic
Abuse, and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act. I continue my advisory
work through my current membership on the Violence Against Women,
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advisory Group, chaired by the
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children. I also have served
as an expert advisor on several UK national committees instrumental
in shaping professional practice, such as the National Institute
for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which formulated and
published guidelines for health practitioners for preventing
domestic violence in 2014.
- Before addressing the question of whether
Welsh Government policies and programmes are effective at reducing
the adverse impact of domestic violence on children, it is
important to examine what the research reveals about the impact of
domestic violence on children. A wealth of literature conclusively
establishes that “children who are exposed to domestic
violence and abuse (DVA) are more likely to experience emotional
and behavioural problems in childhood, adolescence and adulthood
than children who are not exposed to DVA” (Howarth et al.,
2016, p. xxv). In general, children exposed to domestic violence
report greater levels of fear, anxiety, stigma, aggressive
behaviours, sleeping problems and poorer social competence, verbal
skills and school performance issues (Edleson, 2011; Fowler &
Chanmugam, 2007; Guille, 2004; Stanley, 2011). Regarding the very
young, the negative impact of domestic violence has been documented
but the evidence base is less developed. Infants respond with
symptoms of poor health and sleeping, and excessive crying and
screaming (Humphreys, et al., 2008). Most of the available research
focuses on children older than babies and toddlers, yet the
research clearly establishes that domestic violence is harmful
across the life-course and in a number of different ways.
- A recent review of international research on
interventions designed for children exposed to domestic violence
identified the existence of a number of different types of
programmes.[1]
The review identified that it was “established
practice” in the UK to offer targeted interventions to
children who have been exposed to domestic violence, mainly via
programmes offered in the voluntary sector that provide
“group-based psychoeducation for children and their
non-abusive parent or for children alone” (Howarth et al.,
2016, p. 139). Given the focus of this consultation on
children’s development before the age of two, it is
especially important to highlight that most interventions for
children exposed to domestic violence are aimed at those between 6
and 18 years, with only the Refuge children’s psychology
programme designed specifically for children less than five years
of age.[2]
- Overall, regardless of the type of programme
or the ages of the children receiving it, there is currently a
dearth of evidence able to establish the effectiveness and/or the
extent to which such programmes represent good value for money. A
pressing need for high-quality UK-based studies to evaluate the
clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of
targeted interventions for children exposed to domestic violence
has been identified (Howarth et al., 2016, p. xxxi).
- Given the state of the evidence,
unfortunately it is not possible to offer a definitive statement on
whether specific programmes that have been implemented in Wales are
effective and/or cost-effective for reducing the harm caused by
domestic violence during a child’s first 1,000 days.
- However, perhaps the Committee will find it
useful to again take stock of what interventions are known to be
both effective and cost-effective for adult victims of domestic
violence who are parents (mostly mothers) with responsibility for
looking after young children, as well as pregnant and post-partum
women.
- The most promising intervention for reducing
the harm caused by domestic violence has been shown to be providing
advocacy to adult victims through specialist voluntary sector
providers. Indeed, this is the key recommendation made in the NICE
(2014) guidance[3],
following a rigorous systematic review of the research available
internationally: “Advocacy services may improve women’s
access to community resources, reduce rates of intimate partner
violence, improve safety, decrease depression, reduce various
stressors, and improve parenting stress and children’s
well-being. Advocacy interventions are those that inform, guide and
help victims of domestic violence to access a range of services and
supports, and ensure their rights and entitlements are achieved.
Interventions included: community based mentorship, home visitation
advocacy services, Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Services
(IDVA), emergency department advocacy services, advocacy services
for rural women, shelter and post-shelter advocacy services, and a
24 hour helpline services.”[4]
The international evidence base on advocacy services includes
mothers, pregnant and post-partum women, and all studies evaluating
advocacy services report some level of improvement for these
women.
- Numerous studies – conducted in Wales,
the UK and beyond – consistently highlight the measurable
benefits from advocacy and thus provide a vital reminder of the
link between addressing the harm to adult victims (mainly women)
and addressing the harm caused by domestic violence during a
child’s first 1,000 days. Furthermore, specialist advocacy
for victim/survivors is the foundation underpinning other
successful interventions, such as the IRIS model[5],
MARACs, SDVCs and SARCs.[6]
- Widely available, well-resourced,
sustainable, specialist services for adult female victims of
domestic violence, which are able to provide targeted interventions
for children as well as advocacy for the mother, is the key
mechanism by which the Welsh Government can ameliorate the harm
caused by domestic violence.