Personal Blogs

While domestic abuse is usually regarded as an adult issue that children ‘have to deal with’ – this does not mean they are passive bystanders in situations where domestic abuse is occurring’ (Mullender et al 2002) Children in some cases can behave abusively toward a victimised parent (Edleson 2000) These examples contain a simple but strong message reinforcing the importance of ‘protecting childhood’, that it is a ‘separate space’ from adulthood.(Puffall 2004)