Over the next few days the Herald will be running a series of articles on child abuse and highlighting charities working to end it. See the bottom of this page for today's charity.
A young girl runs from a room to escape after watching her mother being beaten to the floor - but she knows where to go and how to keep herself safe.
She learned a safety plan at the Restore programme run by Family Works, the child and family
service of Presbyterian Support Northern.
Restore is a Family Works programme especially designed for children affected by family violence.
Children on the Restore programme are taught to develop non-violent techniques for resolving problems, learn about roles and responsibilities in building relationships and increase self-esteem.
Restore clinical practice leader Vivianne Flintoff said children develop safety plans so they know what to do if an abusive situation begins. That could range from who to phone and can be as simple as which door they will escape through.
"It's horrific what some of the little ones have experienced," Ms Flintoff said.
Donations made by Herald readers will be used to support children to overcome the effects of domestic violence through counselling and/or programmes like Restore.
The emotional and physical recovery of children who come from violent homes largely depends on the early intervention by professionals dedicated to speaking up, and standing up, for children.
Family Works is made up of social workers and counsellors who work with children coming from difficult family backgrounds and deals with issues like violence, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse and poverty.
One of these child advocates is Andrea Berghan. She sees several families a week and observes first hand how abuse can cause long-term effects to a child's development.
Ms Berghan said ages 0-3 were crucial and studies had shown children who were abused at this age were growing up without their brains being fully developed.
"They're growing up, in a sense, brain damaged.
"This causes continuous learning difficulties. It all has a flow-on effect. [Children] aged 0-3 are the most vulnerable group because they rely totally on adults," she said.
Children who witnessed their mothers being bashed, for example, or who were just left without any care or attention might not have physical bruises, but the cost to the country in years to come can be huge.
"When they get to be teenagers they're out of control ... they then have young families and they too struggle."
How you can help:
You can make a secure online donation at www.psn.org.nz, click on the "Donate Now" bos on the left hand side of the menu.
Or you can deposit money into their bank account: Family Works NZH, Account 06-0101-0075933-18 or by cheque made out to Presbyterian Support Northern and send to Freepost Authority 2697, PO Box 99890, Newmarket, Auckland 1149.
