As published by Yahoo
Caring for and treating children exposed to domestic violence took center stage at the fourth annual Domestic Violence Clinical Advocacy Program Conference at The John Marshall Law School on October 18.
Children exposed to domestic violence, even if they are not victims, can experience significant trauma. Left unaddressed, the trauma from the domestic violence can become normalized and increase the likelihood that they become abusers or victims. Healing requires the consistent care of caring, non-abusive parents. It is important for family law attorneys, school officials, child protection professionals and others who play a role in the life of children to be aware of the support children need to overcome the trauma and heal.
“We hope that the information and resources we disseminated at our conference this year will empower survivors of domestic violence, and all those who work on behalf of children, to help children recover from the trauma of domestic violence and to reduce the incidence of domestic violence for future generations,” said John Marshall Law School Professor Debra Stark, who is the director of the law school’s Domestic Violence Clinical Advocacy Program and Clinic.
This afternoon-long conference focused on therapeutic programs and resources available for children exposed to domestic violence and how to access them. Another presentation discussed teen dating violence prevention programs and tools as teens who have been exposed to domestic violence or abuse are at a higher risk for experiencing dating violence.
In addition to Stark, speakers included Yesenia Maldonado, executive director of the Chicago-based Between Friends and Margaret Boyle, a children’s counselor and advocate.