ANNABELLE'S HAVEN

Children the Silent Victim of Domestic Violence

                                  

Studies show millions of children witness domestic violence annually.  These children also experience trauma from the physical and verbal abuse that transpires in the home.  Children raised in domestic violence homes are often at risk in a number of ways: post-traumatic stress syndrome, failure to thrive syndrome, depression, discipline problems, falling behind in school, nightmares and sleep disruptions, and many more.  As the children become teens there is antisocial behavior, school truancy, substance abuse and violent or abusive dating relationships.

Annabelle's Haven  twofold concept is the healing the women and the children affected by domestic abuse.   Children counselors will work with the children in conjunction with the mother's counselors.  This will help the mothers better understand what the child has gone through and how best to parent the child.  Our children counselors will use age-appropriate strategies to help the child express feelings about what has happened and learn to deal with those feelings.  The children will know that their family is in a long term safe & secure environment at Annabelle's Haven.  The major emphases of all the programs are to increase the child's sense of physical and emotional safety and to develop self esteem and strong social skills. 

It is easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult.  We therefore must change the cycle of domestic abuse starting with our children. We need to  give them back their childhood.  Children need to feel safe.  Children are great imitators so we need to give them something great to imitate. At Annabelle's Haven they will see, hear and know how precious they are and how they are worthy of the very best life has to offer. Healing our children will help break the cycle of domestic abuse.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpUKxu8m14