A Brief Report on Empowering Children and Young People through Participation: Giving Space and Voice to Childhood Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Understanding children’s experiences of living with domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is central to a child-centered, rights-based approach to working with children and young people. However, the tension between children’s right to be heard and their need to be protected from harm can often mean that those opportunities are experienced as tokenistic. In response to this concern about the reality of children’s participation in the context of DVA, the Empower Kids Project (EKP) was initiated by Barnardos [Ireland] in 2020. The EKP collaborates with partner agencies who collectively come together to provide children with a supported environment to give voice to their experiences of domestic violence and abuse. The children participate in this work within the safe and trusted relationship of their keyworker, through one to one or group work or through their support group in their local area service. Methods Located primarily within Lundy’s (British Educ Res J 33:927–942, 2007) model of participation, this brief report charts the journey of the EKP over the last four years across Lundy’s four quadrants of Voice, Space, Audience and Influence. Results Beginning with just 12 children in 2020, the EKP has to date included the voices of 74 children in its work. Analysis of the children’s journey of participation illustrates poignantly how meaningful participation is possible when scaffolded space is provided to elevate the voices of young survivors of childhood DVA. Employing child friendly multi-modal methodologies resulted in a potent sense of ownership and impact, encapsulated by one child articulating that she felt she was part of a ‘movement’. Conclusions The testimonies of the children and young people participating in the EKP challenge any concern that children who have experienced an adversity such as DVA may be too vulnerable to participate. Rather, the EKP participants felt part of a ‘movement’ that was influencing and creating change. Importantly, participating in the EKP has provided an otherwise marginalized and silenced group, a platform to share their experiences of living with such abuse.