SI Beenleigh members over time have built up a partnership with the Beenleigh Eagleby NGC Domestic & Family Violence Outreach Service. Domestic Violence in any household impacts on the children in the home, even though they may not have been physically abused.
To support the children who have been traumatized by the violence, upheaval, confusion, counsellors from the Beenleigh Eagleby NGC Domestic & Family Violence Outreach Service developed a 1 and 2 day workshop to assist mothers and children reconnect and work through their emotional feelings about how they felt whilst they were in a violent situation and how they now feel, now that they are in a safe place.
Additionally a 1 day workshop was developed for teenage children, where they could connect with other teenage children and use art therapy to work through their emotional feelings.
The mothers, children and teenagers received professional counselling as well as working with an art therapists. SI Beenleigh provided the funds for the counsellor, therapist, rooms to hold the workshops, art materials, morning and afternoon tea and lunch. SI Beenleigh also got to meet the mothers and children during a lunch break.
Two, mother and children 2 day workshops have been conducted, as well as two 1 day teenage workshop.
Information received after a followup meeting was held with the staff from the Eagleby NGC Domestic & Family Violence Outreach Service, feedback at this session was that the 6 teenagers had realised that they were not alone in experiencing the trauma, that they had formed friendships with others from the 1 day workshop, and were able to speak about the trauma to others who really understood.