Listening to Children - Women's Aid
"Children speak truth"
Anthony (age 6) on his postcard to Margaret hodge MP, Minister for Children, Young People and Families.
It was precisely with this thought in mind that the Woman's Aid Listening to Children Campaign, supported by Ragdoll Foundation, came to life.
Listening to Children was a national project to get more government recognition of the need to provide appropriate support for children affected by domestic abuse focusing on 3 main areas:
- To involve children in the planning of the campaign
- To undertake a national postcard campaign, obtaining drawings and statements showing how young people feel and what they would like the government to do
- A one off event at Portcullis House to present findings to Ministers
The Women's Aid Listening to Children Campaign aimed to facilitate that these children's voices are heard directly by government. In part one of the campaign 4000 post cards were distributed to 210 refuge organisations along with a members pack with illustrated drawings to help the children understand the process.
In April 2004 Women's Aid asked children all over the country who had experienced domestic violence, to complete postcards with the phrase "I want the government to...". Children of all ages to write and/or draw their feelings, wishes and needs. Encouraging them to express what helped them in their situation and what they thought might help other children in a similar situation. Hundreds of children, predominantly between the ages of 4 and 16, participated in the campaign.
The postcards were sent to Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Children, Young People and Families. The messages on the postcards reflected what research findings have already indicated. Children want the violence to stop, they want safety for themselves, their mums, and their siblings, they want support and they want the government and the courts to listen to them.