Children and young people affected by domestic abuse across West Kent will receive vital help and support thanks to a grant from the Freemasons to Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service (DAVSS).
The funding will support DAVSS specialist children and young people’s programme, working with those aged five–18 who are living with, or have previously experienced, domestic abuse. These children are often the hidden victims of abuse, experiencing significant emotional and psychological harm as a result of what they have witnessed.
The programme provides trauma-informed, psychoeducational support designed to help children understand their experiences, rebuild their confidence, and develop healthy coping strategies and relationships.
The funding will make a significant difference to the lives of children and their families by enabling DAVSS to deliver targeted, specialist interventions at a critical time. Through structured group programmes and one-to-one support, children will be given the tools to process trauma, improve emotional wellbeing, and feel safer and more secure in their daily lives.
Domestic abuse is one of the leading causes of trauma for children in the UK. It is estimated that one in five children are at risk of long-term harm from witnessing abuse. Exposure to domestic abuse is recognised as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), which is strongly linked to poor mental health, lower educational attainment, and increased risk-taking behaviours later in life.
Since 2011, DAVSS has supported over 5,700 adult victims of domestic abuse, with more than 7,700 children identified within those households. Evidence shows that early intervention programmes like those delivered by DAVSS significantly improve outcomes for children, with over 90 per cent reporting that they feel safer and more confident after taking part. Schools also report improvements in behaviour, emotional expression, and engagement.
The grant from West Kent Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
A spokesperson for DAVSS said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to West Kent Freemasons for their generous support. This funding will make a real and lasting difference to the children and families we support. Too often, children affected by domestic abuse suffer in silence. This programme gives them a safe space to understand their experiences, rebuild their confidence, and begin to recover from trauma.”
Andrew Waddington from West Kent Freemasons, said:
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help DAVSS with their hugely important project for children and young people affected by domestic abuse. They are often the hidden victims of abuse and this wonderful charity does everything possible to allow them to have a happy and safe childhood.”
