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Children and young people EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE: Guidance Note for Planners
3 CYPEDA: A Priority Group for Service
CYPEDA have been identified as a priority group for service in reports and documents produced and commissioned by the Scottish Executive since the publication of the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland in 2000.
- The National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse (Scottish Executive: 2000) highlighted the duty to this group under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular in relation to Article 19:
'States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child'. (UNICEF)
The National Strategy recognised the extent of the problem and recommended urgent action to 'develop a clear understanding of the needs of CYPEDA as a specific group' (Scottish Executive: 2000):
'All women or children who experience abuse must receive the support and services to enable them to identify their needs, to make choices and to have these needs addressed, as well as to participate in developing services to address their needs in the future. It should be recognised that children require services which meet their specific needs'. (Scottish Executive: 2000: 7)
The Audit and Review of Child Protection (Scottish Executive: 2002) also highlighted the needs of CYPEDA by recommending they be regarded as a particular group 'in need' under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, widening the definition of child abuse to include CYPEDA:
'As understanding of child abuse and neglect has increased, situations which are considered to be abusive or neglectful have broadened to include domestic abuse (primarily of mothers) which causes physical or emotional abuse of children' (Scottish Executive: 2002).
The Audit and Review also recommended that provision of services to CYPEDA should be a priority for interagency planning and that a more comprehensive and unified approach to meeting their needs was required (Scottish Executive: 2002).
'Responding to Domestic Abuse: Guidelines for Healthcare Workers in NHS Scotland' (Scottish Executive: 2003) states that good health care, education and family support are essential services to safeguard and promote children's welfare, recognising that:
'Children and young people suffer in many ways when living with and witnessing domestic abuse. They may experience emotional disturbance, physical disorders and disruptions to lifestyle.' (Scottish Executive: 2003).
'Protecting Children and Young People: the Charter' (Scottish Executive: 2004) and 'Protecting Children and Young People: Framework for Standards' (Scottish Executive: 2004), while not mentioning CYPEDA directly, are relevant and key in considering this group of children and young people.
Revised Scottish Executive Guidance (2004) on integrated children's services planning confirmed CYPEDA within the definition of 'children in need' and as a priority for inter-agency planning.
With the growing recognition of the nature and extent of the problems facing CYPEDA and their inclusion in the Children's Services Planning Guidance as a national priority, local planning partners are requested to take urgent action to review and take account of their needs.
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