Dearxlisax85x,
I am so sorry to hear that you have suffered domestic abuse. It must have been very scary for your children to have witnessed this as well as for you to have suffered it.
Here are some
FAQ’s about domestic abuse .
The violence must have been at a sufficiently serious level for him to be imprisoned. Do you know when your partner is going to be released?
You say that children services have closed the case. How was it left? Do they expect you to contact them if you and your partner re- unite when he leaves prison?
I am worried that you might allow your partner back into your children’s lives and they are put in danger by your partner. Children services are likely to be very worried about this as well.
To be certain, you should check what the position is with children services. You will want to put your childrens safety first.
If they need you both to get further help support or training then you can start this now so as not to waste time later.
Support for you and your children
Have you been offered all the support that you and your children can get to deal with the trauma of domestic violence? If you haven’t you could look into that now. These programmes such as the "freedom programme" often have a waiting list. You could start getting the support you need now so as not to cause delay later on.
To find out about this programme and other support (such as an advocate to help you deal with the social worker, you could contact
Women’s Aid confidentially, who can refer you to programmes in your area.
Support for your partner
He may be offered help within the prison system. You could check with
offenders families helpline that your partner is getting the help that he needs-is there ongoing support to treat his alcoholism?
Has he been offered and accepted a domestic violence intervention programme?
I would have expected him to have completed this before he is allowed back in your children’s lives.
He could contact
Respect who can advise him about programmes he could access when he leaves prison.
If your partner does return home without the knowledge and support of children services, you risk serious safe guarding interventions taking place. This might include your children being put under the protection of a child protection plan or worse.
It is better to work with children services. Be honest with them and cooperate with them-like you clearly must have done before.
If you can both successfully complete programmes then there would be a good chance of your partner being safe.
Please post back if you have any questions or need further advice.
Best wishes,
Suzie