SAFE in Hunterdon offers free and confidential programs and services that are carefully designed to decrease
the effects of trauma experienced by children who have witnessed violence in their homes. To help reduce the
risk of these children becoming adult abusers or victims themselves, counselors work closely with children
and their non-offending parents, teaching them ways to identify feelings and non-violent ways to express
themselves.
Peace: A Learned Solution (PALS) and the children's advocacy programs are focused on achieving the
following objectives for children and their non-offending parents:
parents and children
siblings, peers and adults
A Child’s Place
Children that witness domestic violence are affected in many ways. Most are scared after seeing violence first-hand. Others are afraid to speak about and reveal their "family secret." Some are withdrawn. Many children
believe that they are the cause of the violence and bear tremendous guilt.
The purpose of A Child’s Place is to provide child witnesses of domestic violence a safe place where
someone can hear their voice and help them explore their feelings. A child advocate works with children ages
4-11 individually over the course of 20 weeks, providing them with personal attention and customizing the
program to meet their particular needs. The advocate draws from a number of different curricula and uses
various tools or medium to reach the children. Some examples of topics covered in A Child’s Place are: safety
planning, recognizing abuse, identifying emotions, self-esteem, boundaries, family changes and anger
management.
Peace: a Learned Solution (PALS)
The PALS Program is a creative arts therapy program for
children ages 4-12 and their non-offending parent. It is an
intensive program that consists of both individual and group
child therapy sessions by board-certified therapists who
specialize in a creative arts modality. It provides an introduction
to healthy emotional expression with a strong focus on peer
interaction. This innovative program encourages children to
experience a range of emotions, to express themselves through
creative arts, and learn non-violent ways to express feelings while enhancing their self-esteems. The PALS
Program currently employs an art therapist, drama therapist, music therapist and a creative arts advocate who
specializes in music. The program also offers case management services, family therapy and parenting
support groups.
It is important to note that the PALS program only enrolls clients who reside with their non-offending parent.
The non-offending parent must have been separated from the offending parent for period of time in order to
qualify for services through the program.
the effects of trauma experienced by children who have witnessed violence in their homes. To help reduce the
risk of these children becoming adult abusers or victims themselves, counselors work closely with children
and their non-offending parents, teaching them ways to identify feelings and non-violent ways to express
themselves.
Peace: A Learned Solution (PALS) and the children's advocacy programs are focused on achieving the
following objectives for children and their non-offending parents:
 | Building self-esteem and enhancing coping skills | |
| Nurturing healthy patterns of family interactions | |
| Encouraging positive communication styles between |
| Helping children experience positive relationships with |
A Child’s Place
Children that witness domestic violence are affected in many ways. Most are scared after seeing violence first-
believe that they are the cause of the violence and bear tremendous guilt.
The purpose of A Child’s Place is to provide child witnesses of domestic violence a safe place where
someone can hear their voice and help them explore their feelings. A child advocate works with children ages
4-11 individually over the course of 20 weeks, providing them with personal attention and customizing the
program to meet their particular needs. The advocate draws from a number of different curricula and uses
various tools or medium to reach the children. Some examples of topics covered in A Child’s Place are: safety
planning, recognizing abuse, identifying emotions, self-esteem, boundaries, family changes and anger
management.
Peace: a Learned Solution (PALS)
The PALS Program is a creative arts therapy program for
children ages 4-12 and their non-offending parent. It is an
intensive program that consists of both individual and group
child therapy sessions by board-certified therapists who
specialize in a creative arts modality. It provides an introduction
to healthy emotional expression with a strong focus on peer
interaction. This innovative program encourages children to
experience a range of emotions, to express themselves through
creative arts, and learn non-violent ways to express feelings while enhancing their self-esteems. The PALS
Program currently employs an art therapist, drama therapist, music therapist and a creative arts advocate who
specializes in music. The program also offers case management services, family therapy and parenting
support groups.
It is important to note that the PALS program only enrolls clients who reside with their non-offending parent.
The non-offending parent must have been separated from the offending parent for period of time in order to
qualify for services through the program.
| SAFE in Hunterdon • 47 E. Main Street • Flemington, NJ 08822 • Outreach office: 908-788-7666 • 24-hour hotline: 888-988-4033 |
Domestic violence puts all
individuals in physical and emotional
jeopardy, especially children. Parents
are often unaware of the effects that
violence can have on a child. Though
children may not always see the violence,
they can always hear it and feel it.
Shame and Isolation
Children are rarely able to tell anyone
what is going on at home. They may feel
embarrassed and ashamed.
Low Self-Esteem
Children may feel responsible and blame
themselves. It is also likely that the
children are not getting the necessary
emotional support from either parent to
ensure healthy development of their
self-esteem.
Child Abuse
In approximately half of the families
experiencing domestic violence, there is
physical and verbal child abuse.
Excessive Responsibility
Children often have to "parent" their
mothers and/or fathers or take
responsibility for younger siblings. They
are often robbed of a normal childhood.
Inconsistency and Chaos
Unpredictable behaviors from both
parents take their toll on the children's
mental health and well being.
Incest
Domestic violence agencies throughout
the country see a substantial number of
families where not only physical and
verbal abuse exists, but incest as well.
Violent/Submissive Behavior
Children often repeat behaviors they learn
from their parents (the perpetrator or the
victim).
Source: Weave, Inc. www.weaveinc.com.
individuals in physical and emotional
jeopardy, especially children. Parents
are often unaware of the effects that
violence can have on a child. Though
children may not always see the violence,
they can always hear it and feel it.
Shame and Isolation
Children are rarely able to tell anyone
what is going on at home. They may feel
embarrassed and ashamed.
Low Self-Esteem
Children may feel responsible and blame
themselves. It is also likely that the
children are not getting the necessary
emotional support from either parent to
ensure healthy development of their
self-esteem.
Child Abuse
In approximately half of the families
experiencing domestic violence, there is
physical and verbal child abuse.
Excessive Responsibility
Children often have to "parent" their
mothers and/or fathers or take
responsibility for younger siblings. They
are often robbed of a normal childhood.
Inconsistency and Chaos
Unpredictable behaviors from both
parents take their toll on the children's
mental health and well being.
Incest
Domestic violence agencies throughout
the country see a substantial number of
families where not only physical and
verbal abuse exists, but incest as well.
Violent/Submissive Behavior
Children often repeat behaviors they learn
from their parents (the perpetrator or the
victim).
Source: Weave, Inc. www.weaveinc.com.
The Effects of Domestic
Violence on Children and
Adolescents: An Overview
Child Protection in Families
Experiencing Domestic
Violence
Domestic Violence and
Children
FutureofChildren.org
Children and Domestic
Violence
Violence on Children and
Adolescents: An Overview
Child Protection in Families
Experiencing Domestic
Violence
Domestic Violence and
Children
FutureofChildren.org
Children and Domestic
Violence
"It helps to go to PALS and to
not be around fighting
anymore. I learned from my
dad to hit walls. Now I am
learning to have self-control."
not be around fighting
anymore. I learned from my
dad to hit walls. Now I am
learning to have self-control."
-Mark, 10-year-old PALS
participant
participant
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Further Reading
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Serving victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse for over 30 years