THE NON-GOVEMENTAL ORGANIZATION
FOR CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Awareness Campaign
Our campaign, “The Bitch Hits Back” is a call to action to all who are passive witnesses to violence. The goal of this campaign is to bring awareness and a voice to the taboo subject of domestic violence. Violence is unacceptable and everyone has a responsibility to help. It is illegal to commit acts of violence in Denmark, yet on average, there are two students per class who experience abuse in their home or in their personal relationships. Speaking about violence between boyfriends and girlfriends is also taboo in Denmark. Our goal is to break the silence about violence, encourage our young people to speak about it and get the help they need.
Domestic Violence in Denmark
Domestic violence and violent relationships are a large but hidden problem in Denmark. About 22,000 children and young adults are subject to violence or are witnesses to domestic violence. Sadly, they keep the problem to themselves. This means that on average, there are two students in every classroom who live in a family marked by violence. Violent personal relationships are also kept quiet. And again, it is estimated that on average, two students in every classroom experience a violent relationship.
Break the Chain
When children are subjected to physical and mental abuse day after day, they become marked for life. The emotional scars of abuse run deep and can have a devastating and long-lasting effect. These children and young adults are much more likely to be diagnosed with depression and panic attacks. They are also much more likely to continue the pattern of violence in their adult lives. Approximately 40 percent of all the girls and young women who experience violence during childhood also accept violence in their later relationships. About 50 percent of the boys, who grow up in an abusive home act out with violent behavior towards a girlfriend or a family member.
Break the Silence
Talking about violence is such a forbidden topic, that many children and young adults find it impossible to talk about openly. However, talking about the violence and letting it be known to those who are in a position to help, is the only way to make it stop. Therefore, the main goal of our organization is to actively prevent violence in families and in personal relationships. We organize a range of activities directed at children and young adults as well as other target groups, which are or will have direct contact to these children and young adults.
Main activities
Our main focus is to proactively help children and young people who are experiencing violence in their home or with their boyfriend or girlfriend. We do this by holding free seminars with our panel of experts at schools and universities, and through the anonymous webmail on our website. This means that our activities are not only targeted at the children and young adults who are effected by domestic violence, but also at the people who are in direct contact with these children. We strategically target those that are studying to work as pedagogues, social workers and teachers.
Seminars at Schools and Universities
We travel around the country on scheduled visits to schools with the primary goal of encouraging young people to break the silence about domestic violence. The schools range from 8th grade, through the varying kinds of upper secondary youth education centers, as well as colleges for those studying to be pedagogues. Our panel of experts give presentations about the subject of violence in families. By doing so, we have direct contact with the children and young adults who are affected by violence, and also with their fellow students and teachers, who learn how they can support them in their daily life.
At the universities we create a greater understanding of domestic violence and violent relationships for future teachers, educators and social workers. The goal is that the students gain a greater knowledge about the signs of violence and how to react to them when they are working with children and young adults.
Our Webmail Site
On our website www.familievold.dk, there is access to webmail. Children and young adults who want or need to write anonymously about their experiences with domestic and relationship violence can write to us and expect an answer within 24 hours. This mail correspondence is answered by one of our six professionals, who have experience in dealing with children and young adults who live with domestic violence or are participating in violent relationships. We are the only webmail site in Denmark which answers each email within 24 hours, 365 days a year.
Support our organization
The NGO for Children exposed to Domestic Violence is an independent body with ten ambassadors affiliated to it. They have committed themselves to represent the organization’s cause. The organization’s activities depend on fundraising, membership and contributions.
All contributions will be gratefully accepted. You are welcome to join the organization by contacting the undersigned. Contributions and membership fees can be paid directly to the organization’s account:
Nordea 2150 8966741 830
Please remember to mention your name and address.