Schools and Teachers
Domestic Violence: Information for Teachers
Signs of abuse - safe guarding/child protection
Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence can overwhelm children and can lead them to feel unsafe and insecure. Some children are more resilient than others. And some children have hard time recovering from violent incident. Children can react immediately or much later after the incident, and their behaviors can differ in severity.
Signs of abuse in children
5 years or younger
Shows clingy behavior
More irritable and increase in tantrums
Bed wetting
Thumb sucking
Repeating events during play
Fearful
6-12 years of age
Loss of attention
Feeling sad
Withdrawn
Change in eating habits
Easily aggravated
Sounds frightened
Poor grades
13-19 years
Experiencing nightmares
Increase in risk taking behaviors
Excessive sleeping or insomnia
Running away from home
Substance abuse
Easily aggravated
Withdrawn
What can teachers do?
Teachers can help reduce the impact domestic violence has on children.
They can listen to them and assure them that whatever happened was not their fault.
Look for signs of abuse e.g., bruises, depressive or anxious behaviors, sudden changes in behaviors
If a child shares his or her experience with violence, teacher should follow school policies and refer the child for professional help or school counselor
Be a caring adult and support the healing process by providing safe space for children to express themselves
If self-help is not working seek a specialized help
Resources
Cayman Islands Crisis Centre
The family resource center- 949-0006
Educational and therapeutic Programs
The counselling Center- 949-8789
Free counselling and substance abuse services
The Cayman Islands hospital – 949-8600 or 911 for emergencies
Psychological Assessment and therapy
Emergency/Crisis services
Private Clinics
Outpatient testing and therapy
Psychiatric services
You might also like to look at these
Anxiety Guidance
Anxiety and management for teachers
Parents and Bullying
Bullying in Schools
Depression: Information for teachers
Domestic Violence: Information for Teachers
Detecting and dealing with neglect
Sexual Abuse - Guide for Teachers
Neglect: Parents Guide
Domestic Violence
Depression - guidance for parents
Sexual Abuse, information for parents
Cayman Kids Helpline provides a safe space, and general guidance - this is not a substitute for clinical advice or treatment.
The Kids Helpline is proudly brought to you by the Alex Panton Foundation