Mental blocking and disconnecting emotionally
Making it better through imagination
Physical avoidance
Looking for love and acceptance
Taking charge through care taking
Reaching out for help
Trying to predict, explain, prevent or control
the behaviour of an abuser
Resilience
However, these strategies may not protect the child.
Assessment of the dynamics and risks in the home is
required alongside assessment of the child's need to
better understand the impact of domestic abuse on the
child.
In considering risk to children, the Domestic Abuse Risk
Assessment for Children (DARAC - Barnardo's NI) 2021
is a helpful model. Barnardos (2023) note that
The DARAC tool can be used by professionals who are
undertaking an assessment of the risks to children living
in a home where domestic violence and abuse has
already been identified. The tool is designed for use in
cases where a male is perpetrating domestic violence
against a female. Professionals must undertake the
training provided by Barnardo's in how to administer and
interpret the tool.
The DARAC has been developed to help practitioners:
• Identify risks to children from domestic abuse and
begin the risk assessment process