When we hear the phrase “domestic violence”, we most often think of abused women. But have you ever stopped to consider that many, if not most, of those abused women have children? Children who, at the very least, witness the abuse of their own mother? Children whose toys, clothes, books and even diapers are left behind when their mother flees an abusive partner?
According to the Department of Justice, 15.5 million U.S. children live in families where partner violence occurred at least once in the past year, and 7 million children live in families where severe partner violence has occurred. Children who witness family violence are often affected in ways similar to children who have been abused – increased anxiety, low self esteem, depression, anger, problems sleeping, and difficulties at school. With early intervention, children can overcome the negative effects of family violence and are more likely to avoid repeating the domestic violence they experienced in their own lives.
The Program
SAFEHOME, Johnson County’s only domestic violence agency, provides safe shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic abuse and their children. SAFEHOME helps children overcome the negative effects of domestic violence through their Children’s Program.
KC Kids Fun is pleased to help SAFEHOME’s Children’s Program with its Wish List! Click here to see the SAFEHOME Children’s Program Wish List
. They have some really important needs. Please help them help the kids!
The purpose of the Children’s Program is to provide a safe and therapeutic environment where children and their mothers can heal from the violence they have experienced. The program emphasizes the use of art and play therapy to help children express their feelings regarding the violence that they have experienced and to learn alternatives to abusive behavior. Their Children’s Center provides a safe place for children to go while their mothers are attending counseling or advocacy appointments. The Children’s Program also coordinates several fun family activities to help strengthen the parent/child relationship which is often strained by the abusive environment.
How You Can Help
In order to help out the SAFEHOME Children’s Program through the SAFEHOME Children’s Program Wish List, just click the link, find something you’d like to send their way and purchase it through Amazon. There are books, toys, diapers, cleaning supplies, socks, underwear and other items to help the kids’ mothers too. All of these things are the kinds of things that get left behind when abused mothers flee their abusers.
The purchased item(s) will be shipped directly from Amazon – how much easier could it get?! And any donation, large or small, would be GREATLY appreciated!
At SAFEHOME, kids learn to be kids again. For more information on SAFEHOME, visit them online at www.safehome-ks.org. If you or someone you know need help, please call our 24 hour hotline at 913-262-2868.
