24 Hour Domestic Violence Help-line

Young People, Healthy relationships and Domestic Violence

“Research shows that some young people-1 in 5 men and 1 in 10 women-think that violence towards a partner is acceptable in some situations, for instance, if the woman has slept with someone else.”

This quote illustrates how people form very strong views about Domestic Violence as young people.  This project aims to appropriately challenge such beliefs, and to encourage young people to develop the skills to recognise abusive relationships and therefore help to promote healthy futures. 

Youth groups (age range from 9-19) are being offered free training around Domestic Violence and young people for the staff and four free workshops about Healthy Relationships and Domestic Violence for the young people.

Impact workshops were piloted to young people in April 2005. The Impact Project aims to deliver to hard to reach groups, since the healthy schools programme is already working to reach mainstream young people.  Therefore the groups of young people targeted include children looked after, homeless young people, pregnant young women, BME groups and disabled young people. 

Impact workshops also work with young people who have experienced Domestic Violence and although some of these are reached in the targeted groups, the project also aims to work with groups of young people that have already been in contact with Women’s Aid services.

In 2006 the Impact project won a Community Care Award for innovative work with older children and young people.