According to the NSPCC around 1 in 5 children in the UK have been exposed to domestic violence at home. Operation Encompass is addressing the issues children will face having witnessed abuse.
According to their website (http://operationencompass.org) ‘Operation Encompass was created so that by 9.00am on the next school day, a ‘Key Adult” will be informed that the child or young person has been involved in or witnessed a domestic incident. This knowledge, given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through ‘overt’ or ‘silent support’, depending upon the needs and wishes of the child. We believe that this kind of early intervention is every child’s right.’
This is a huge step in the right direction to provide the emotional support that is required to these children. Previously there has been police communication shared with other authorities, this was always done through social services but never directly to the child’s school. If schools are informed, then we are looking at imperative emotional and practical support being offered to the child quickly, in some cases even the next day after witnessing violence.
Children exposed to the domestic abuse of a parent often have greater behavioural and emotional problems compared to other children, including depression and anxiety, and aggressive or anti-social behaviour (SOURCE: NSPCC and Department for Education). Operation Encompass are aiming to prevent these problems ever establishing themselves by providing children with the opportunity to talk about the violence, and any fears/concerns they have surrounding this.
At present 15 police forces have embraced Operation Encompass, but the aim is to get Operation Encompass into every police force, into every school, for every child. We are pleased children in these families are being offered the support they need, but this will only work if people continue to speak out about domestic and emotional abuse.
Inspire hope, be a voice and speak out against domestic violence.
Footnote: If you are in an abusive relationship and requires an urgent response or needs in-depth support please contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247, the Men’s Advice Helpline on 0808 801 0327 or The National LGBT Helpline(Broken Rainbow) on 0300 999 5428.
You could also find support organisations using our ONLINE DIRECTORY
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