C HILDREN LIVING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE A study focusing on children's experiences The International Metropolis Conference, Tampere, 9-13 September 2013 Veronika Paulsen NTNU Social research, Norway

B ACKGROUND Increased effort from the public sector against domestic violence in Norway In 2008, the police registered about 5200 cases of domestic violence in Norway Big unknown numbers? Difficult to determine the extent of children affected by domestic violence

M Y PRELIMINARY DEFINITION Definition: Violence refers to physical, psychological or sexual abuse, and children who are witnesses to domestic violence. Violence also includes harassment, commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Domestic violence is not a uniform phenomenon Forced marriages and female genital mutilation - different?

R ESEARCH QUESTIONS How do children experience growing up with domestic violence and abuse? In what way can child welfare services discover and protect child victims of domestic violence and abuse?

R ESEARCH QUESTION 1 How do children experience growing up with domestic violence and abuse? These children are affected by violence in both short- and long-term Children may develop various health, social and cognitive problems (Øverlien 2010) Need for children and young people who are victims of violence to be integrated into research Provide insight into their experiences, thoughts, opinions, descriptions and stories

R ESEARCH QUESTION 2 In what way can child welfare services discover and protect child victims of domestic violence and abuse? User involvement To be listened to, to have the opportunity to state their opinion and to get supported is ranked as the most important factor in a study on children in difficult life situations (Strandbu 2007) Child welfare services in Norway have a family- oriented approach

M ETHOD Interviews with children - a narrative approach It is important to understand children from the children’s perspective Children's perspectives often provide an important contribution to understanding the totality Interviews with employees in child welfare services Ethical considerations Sensitive topic Most children will be from 16 years old

Thank you!