EXCLUSIVE: "Significant lack of support" for young people in Sheffield affected by domestic abuse
Hallam FM's had exclusive access to a report by young people in Sheffield which has exposed gaps in services for those affected by domestic abuse.
A new report, which Hallam FM has had exclusive access to, has found there's a "significant lack of support" in Sheffield for children affected by domestic abuse.
The research has taken two years and looks at services in the city.
It's been carried out by young people; some of them have experienced domestic violence first hand or witnessed it in their family.
The idea came from YWAVE, the Young Women Against Violence Empowered project.
They interviewed young victims as well as speaking to professionals from health and voluntary services.
Some of the key findings included there being "gaps in services" for some groups including young men and young people who are perpetrators.
It says "there are very few services that are domestic abuse specific in the Sheffield area for young people" and often children are "forgotten about".
The report calls for more preventative work, more resources and more understanding of the issue.
Some of the support for children is described as "excellent" but that there "...just isn't enough to cover the amount of children in Sheffield who need help."
It highlights a "high level of demand" amongst young people for schools and colleges to offer more training and education on the issues of healthy relationships and abuse.
Another issue raised is long waiting times for mental health support and the problem that "young people often receive support only when they reach a crisis".
A lack of resources and money is pinpointed as a key issue. Many of those providing support mentioned a loss in finding over the last 12 months "meaning cuts to services as well a staffing levels and bigger caseloads".
The young people who did the research came up with some recommendations which would improve the situation in Sheffield.
They include having a directory of all the services available so professionals, specifically GPs, can direct young people to the right help.
The group also want more work done in schools and more specific domestic abuse support services for children and young people.
The research is being made public for the first time as a conference in Sheffield organised to explore and highlight the issues of domestic abuse and young people and gender equality.
Anyone wanting help or advice can contact the following:
Sheffield Domestic Abuse helpline 0808 808 2241
Childline 0800 1111
National domestic abuse helpline 0808 2000 247
Respect Phone line 0808 802 4040 / 0808 801 0327
AVA Project - Against Violence and Abuse www.avaproject.org.uk
Chilypep www.chilypep.org.uk
Haven House Prohect www.havenhouseproject.org.uk
Rotherham Rise www.rotherhamrise.org.uk
Sheffield Voluntary Sector Children and Young People's Network www.vidasheffield.org.uk
YWHP - Young Women's Housing Project www.ywhp.org.uk