Domestic Violence Research, from the Aiobhneas competition packet

Infants and toddlers may be scared to explore and play (Baker et al, 2002)
...may experience problems eating and sleeping (Carlson, 2000)

   Ideas:  
   -    entice children to play 
   -    irresistable play areas to encourage exploration
   -    enticing sleeping areas
   -    explore the idea of touch/ play/ interact
   -    encourage exploration & imagination
      
Pre-Schoolers
   Symptoms of anxiety such as difficulty sleeping, stranger anxiety, "spacing
   out", anxious attachment, sadness or helplessness (Krieg et al, 2000).

   Think of: the castle at the Concourse hotel play area–plywood and carpet


PTSD
-   Lessened respect for mothers because they thought they were "punished".
-   Women less able to parent because of trauma and depression.

   Promote:
   -   Self-esteem building, team building
   -   Social skills
   -   Challenge physically & mentally


Key issues to be addressed:
-   Recognizing the trauma that living with domestic violence has on children
    and also the trauma of having to leave home, leaving their personal
    belongings.
-   Realizing children miss their fathers and experience feelings of disloyalty
    and guilt arising from this.
-   The need to help children cope with new surroundings, including dealing
     with different cultures, lack of privacy as families live together in one
     room and making new friends with other children in the refuge.
-   The need to assist children in continuing to deal with the outside world
     including maybe having to move schools, long waiting lists for referrals
     to family centers/ social workers to deal with emotional and/ or
     behavioral issues.
-   The need to provide facilities for children appropriate to their age and
     for these facilities and related staff to be available outside office hours.
-   The need to provide opportunities for children to have outings from the
     refuge.
-   Helping children to cope with the uncertainty they face reading their
     future.

*Play therapy is also a necessary therapeutic service for some children
  which can help them to explore issues and develop coping skills.*

Specialist Facilities:
-   Play areas with age specific toys and equipment
-   External play facilities
-   Group & individual therapy rooms that are child friendly
-   Area suitable to do homework & related activities
-   Separate areas for adolescents that resemble a home environment,
     including separate sleeping accommodation.