Many young children and youth in our society suffer negative life experiences from an early start. Coupled with a lack of appropriate supports and an unstable home life, the child is nearly destined to a life of loneliness and pain—often seeking self medication through drugs, alcohol, violence, or crime. Some enter the child welfare system already suffering from abusive or violent homes, causing serious impact on the emotional and psychological well-being of the child. Some never leave abusive homes where the viscous cycle becomes nearly unbreakable. Still others live in varying dysfunctional families—from socially and emotionally disadvantaged to extremely impoverished or unstable. All can be an inevitable path to the street and one the child did not necessarily choose.

In Canada, 3 -5 children in every classroom are witnessing violence in the home. Children exposed to domestic violence, in particular, experience a broad range of responses; including posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, separation anxiety, aggression, or withdrawal. A number of children suffer behavioral and emotional difficulties—depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness—and learn that violence is an appropriate response to conflict and has a place in family life. Child abuse is 15 times more likely to occur in families plagued with domestic violence.

There is hope and early intervention is key. The YWCA strives to build positive relationships with troubled children and their families—helping to identify the root of negative responses and build on the child’s strengths. We encourage families to grow and heal together—and to strive for better communication, parenting, and problem-solving when dealing with crisis and conflict.