TalkRadio - Growing up in Domestic Abuse

This episode is very close to my own heart, voices that so often go unheard in the conversation around domestic abuse but actually in society as a whole are children. Which is ironic given how much money and resources are spent picking up the pieces of childhood trauma as adults, never mind children’s lives that are lost and debilitated due to the lack of prioritization of early intervention and prevention. It’s very easy for us to demonise a young person’s behaviour instead of looking beyond what they are having to deal with in their young lives.

I could sit all evening telling you about what being brought up in fear on a day to day basis does to somebody, but also not being taught to love or be loved, and it is mixed up in a confusion of love and abuse, this person's my parent they’re supposed to protect me, love me… but I wanted you to hear from both the perspective of an adult survivor in his 30’s who didn’t receive support as a young boy and a young girl who’s currently being supported by the Opening Closed Doors Project in Gwent, Wales.

Thank you to Dave and Carys for having the courage to share their stories with us.

Joining us for this episode is Erin Jobb, Barnardo’s Northern Ireland Children’s Services Manager and has been working as a social worker with children and families for over 20 years in relation to child protection.


If this is something that affects or has affected you. Please know that you can heal and the fact that you’ve survived all this means you are incredibly strong and brave. If you’re an adult that suffered as a child, please check out NAPAC.org.uk they have some fantastic resources online to help with emotional support and a support line. If you’re worried about a child please check out Barnardo’s.org.uk.

You can also contact me via twitter or instagram

Thank you for listening.

Undiscussable is supported by the Audio Content Fund and backed by TalkRadio.