Through Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART™), children and mothers can talk to each other about domestic abuse, learn to communicate and rebuild their relationship.

The service, which has been recognised by the Home Office, also provides children and mothers with an opportunity to meet others who have lived through similar experiences.

Over ten weeks, mothers and children aged 7-14 meet for a weekly two-hour group session. Children and mothers work together for an hour at the start of the group, and then take part in activities in separate groups. At the end of each session, they join together again.

Women learn more about how domestic abuse happens, how it affects children and also explore experiences and strategies that can be used as a parent.

Children take part in activities together that help them build their own understanding of domestic abuse, how they’re feeling and how to keep themselves safe.

DART is for primary-school children aged 7 to 14 and mothers who have experienced domestic abuse.

Both child and mother need to feel safe enough to participate in DART, which means we can’t work with families if they’re still living with the person who has been abusive.