Our 1:1 support is designed around a 12-week programme that offers age-appropriate assistance to help children understand and process what has happened in their lives. The programme focuses on the following key areas:

• Processing Trauma: Helping children make sense of their experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
• Safety Planning: Empowering children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe.
• Emotional Development: Building emotional resilience and the capacity to manage their feelings.
• Social Integration: Encouraging children to widen their social circles and engage positively with their peers.
• Tailored Approach: At the eight-week mark, our specialists work with the child to assess their progress and readiness to complete the programme at the 12-week point. If additional support is needed, we extend the programme, ensuring that each child receives the time and attention necessary to fully benefit from the process. Our specialised approach recognises that every child’s journey is unique, and we are committed to providing the ongoing, personalised support they need to recover from the trauma of domestic abuse and move forward with their lives.

All children in EWA refuge accommodation receive support with their transition into refuge, with further support provided when necessary.

Our Children’s Rights and Participation Service (CRPS) is dedicated to supporting children affected by domestic abuse who are involved in the court or other statutory systems as victims or witnesses. The CRPS ensures these children receive the necessary support to recover from their trauma while advocating for their rights under Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which guarantees their voice is heard in decisions that impact their lives. 

Children facing such complex and often overwhelming legal challenges need specialised support to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are protected. Our service provides tailored support to help children navigate these challenging circumstances.

Further resources:

• The Scottish Child Law Centre
• CLAN Child Law Centre

We’ve recently launched a specialised support service for young women and girls (YW&G) who have experienced intimate partner abuse. Research from the World Health Organization shows that 24% of females aged 15–19 report having faced this type of abuse — highlighting the urgent need for safe, accessible support.

Our trauma-informed, youth-focused support includes a 12-week program designed to help participants build confidence, strengthen their sense of safety, and develop long-term resilience. The program is available both online and in-person, making it easier for young people to access support in a way that works best for them.

This new initiative is a crucial step in supporting those who may be silently struggling and raising awareness about the resources available to them. By connecting young people with timely, specialised support, we aim to break the cycle of abuse and help them move toward a safer, more empowered future.