Research project
Raising children after domestic violenceResearch period:

November 2009 – March 2010

Call-up: participate in this research project!

Some parents argue a lot. If they also hit each other or assault each other in another way, we call this domestic violence. Children and adolescents who have to deal with domestic violence at home need support. We know that it is very important for them to be able to share their experiences. This helps them process what they have witnessed. Nevertheless, at this moment there is not yet that much help for this group.

The four big cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag en Utrechtwant to change this. Therefore they initiated research onhow mothers and youth, who experienced violence at home, can be helped best. In addition to the stories of mothers, we also very much like to hear the stories of youth. Therefore we are looking for respondents between 10 and 23 years old, who witnessed violence between their parents (the violence has stopped now) and want to talk about this with us.

Do you want to join?

Have you experienced domestic violence between your parents? Was the violence directed at your mother, and maybe also at you or your brothers and sisters? And was the violator your father or the new partner of your mother? Would you like to tell us how you experienced that period and which support you needed or still need? Than we would very much like to talk with you. To be able to join it is important that the following requirements apply to you:

  • You are between 10 and 23 years old
  • You experienced violence at home
  • Your mother was the victim of violence used by her husband or boyfriend
  • You were a witness of the violence (possibly also avictim)
  • The violence has stopped at least half a year ago
  • The period of violence took place no longer than five years ago
  • You live or lived in one of the cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag or Utrecht

To be clear: we are looking for youth who want to sharetheir experiences. We are no social workers and can not help you ourselves. However, if you need help, we can refer you to social workers who have a lot of experience with this subject.

What happens next if you want to join?

If you want to join the project, please send an email to: . One of the researchers of the Verwey-Jonker Institute will contact you. We discuss some things with you and make an appointment for an interview. The interview will take about one hour and can occur at a time and place that suits you best. This can be at your home or somewhere else. Anyway we will choose a place with privacy! The interview is absolutely anonymous; no names or other information is registered. Nobody needs to know that you have joined this project, not even your parents. To express our thanks you will receive a gift coupon at the end of the interview. With your story you contribute to the fact that other children and youth in the future can be helped in a better way!