A £60,000 grant from Berkshire Freemasons will help DASH (Domestic Abuse Stops Here) give children affected by domestic abuse the specialist support they need to rebuild their lives.

For a child living with domestic abuse, the impact can be profound and often invisible. Fear, anxiety, loneliness and sadness can affect relationships, education and a child’s belief in themselves. Some children may even believe that the abuse is somehow their fault. That is where DASH makes a vital difference.

Working across East Berkshire, DASH supports children and young people from the age of five through to 18 who have experienced domestic abuse. Its specialist Children’s and Young People’s Service provides individual, trauma-informed support, helping children understand what has happened to them, express their emotions and develop the confidence and coping strategies to move forward.

The Grant is given through the Freemasons’ Charity and is providing £60,000 over two years towards the cost of a specialist Children’s Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor. This skilled practitioner will provide tailored one-to-one support, normally over 10–12 weeks, while also working closely with schools, social workers, parents and other agencies to ensure each child’s needs and safety remain at the heart of the support they receive.

The need is significant. DASH currently has a waiting list of around five months, with 24 children waiting for support. Last year alone, its Children’s Service supported 120 children.

Most importantly, the support works. Among children completing the service, 97 percent understood that the abuse was not their fault, 80 percent felt less anxious and stressed, and 80% were less tearful and sad. A remarkable 93 percent reported feeling more confident to try new things.

This partnership will help DASH reach more children, sooner – giving young people the opportunity to move beyond the impact of domestic abuse and begin to write a different story for their future.