CONNECT: Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

Know Your Audience

This document aims to help trainers connect with a very specific group: foster, adoptive and kinship families who are caring for children exposed to domestic violence.

A Prefabricated Presentation

Experts at the Family Violence Prevention Fund have taken the guesswork — and stress — out of teaching this topic to caregivers. Their instructor’s toolkit includes a downloadable Power Point presentation, accompanying talking points, discussion prompts, training tips and access to free handouts and videos.

A Four-Part Approach

Trainers will appreciate the curriculum’s simple, four-part structure. The basic sections are: 1) a welcome and ice breaker; 2) a rundown of the dynamics of domestic violence; 3) an overview of how children are impacted by this issue; and 4) tips and suggestions to help caregivers effectively parent these youth.

Expert Advice Included

This training manual offers an endless string of tips aimed at helping caregivers navigate a wide range of real-world issues — everything from power struggles to child-parent visits. It even lists exact phrases adults can say to help comfort a suffering child.

Bringing Facts into Focus

The instructor’s script includes key statistics that add perspective and power to the training session. One example? Domestic violence is ubiquitous. Nearly one in four women report having experienced violence at the hand of a partner or spouse.

Navigating the Sensitive Spots

This training guide offers advice on handling delicate issues that can arise during discussions about domestic violence. It helps instructors address everything from nuances in language (i.e., Is it domestic violence survivor or victim?) to common audience biases (for example, negative perceptions of battered mothers who stay with their abusers).