Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network
Child & Youth Services
HAVEN, Inc. provides support, advocacy, and age-appropriate services for children and youth who have experienced abuse, witnessed abuse, or live in a family affected by domestic abuse or sexual assault.
Children may not always have the words to explain what they feel. They may show stress, fear, confusion, anger, or sadness in different ways. HAVEN offers a safe and supportive space where children can express themselves, build trust, and begin learning healthy ways to cope.
What You See
Common Trauma Responses in Children
Aggressive Behaviors
- Hitting, kicking, yelling, or bullying
- Breaking or destroying things
- Threatening or risky behavior
Passive Withdrawal
- Isolating from others
- Not expressing feelings or needs
- Struggling with self-care
- Hiding emotions
- Self-harm, such as hair pulling or cutting
Emotional Problems, Anxieties, & Phobias
- Underachieving socially or academically
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Changes in eating habits
- Difficulty trusting adults or authority
- Lying or running away
- Bedwetting
Substance Use & Dependency
- Using substances to cope or avoid feelings
- Trying to numb or escape emotions
Role Reversal
- Taking care of parents or siblings
- Acting like the "adult" in the home
- Trying to fix or manage family problems
- Hiding what is happening at home
Carrying Guilt or Shame
- Apologizing often
- Taking blame for things outside their control
- Big emotional ups and downs
- Being easily taken advantage of
School Struggles
- Falling behind or overworking
- Trouble with peers
- Conflict with teachers or authority
- Skipping school
Relationship & Communication Struggles
- Difficulty expressing feelings
- Trouble resolving conflict
- Unrealistic expectations of others
- Over-dependence on people
Support for Children Affected by Abuse
All children who live with domestic violence are affected by the experience. The impact can vary from child to child. Some children may experience serious trauma, especially if they have also been directly abused. Others may be more resilient when they have a stable environment, a nurturing support system, and strong support from a non-abusive parent or caregiver.
HAVEN helps children and youth feel heard, supported, and safer. Services are designed to help children understand their emotions, build confidence, and develop healthier coping skills.
Children's Group and Childcare
HAVEN offers children's group and childcare services on the first and third Monday of every month from 4:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
This group includes play and art therapy activities that help children feel safer, reduce anxiety, and express their emotions in healthy ways. Children of all ages who have witnessed abuse or whose caregiver has been affected by domestic abuse or sexual abuse are encouraged to participate.
During group, children are encouraged to talk about their feelings, build emotional awareness, and learn skills that support a safe and healthy lifestyle.
To discuss the children's group, call (715) 536-1300 or email [email protected].
How Abuse Can Affect Children
Children may respond to domestic abuse, sexual abuse, or family trauma in different ways. Some effects are easy to see, while others may be harder to recognize.
External signs may include:
- Acting out or changes in behavior
- Trouble following directions
- Aggression or anger
- Withdrawal from activities or relationships
- Difficulty at school
- Changes in sleep or eating habits
Internal signs may include:
- Anxiety or fear
- Sadness or depression
- Guilt or shame
- Low self-esteem
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling responsible for what happened
These reactions are not the child's fault. They are common responses to unsafe or stressful experiences.
Learn About Coping Skills
Helping Children Build Healthy Coping Skills
Children who have experienced trauma often develop survival coping skills to get through unsafe situations. While these coping skills may help a child feel protected in the moment, they may not always support long-term healing or healthy relationships.
HAVEN helps children and youth develop safer, healthier ways to cope. This may include learning how to name feelings, ask for help, set boundaries, build trust, and feel more secure.
With the right support, children can begin to heal, grow, and feel more confident in their future.
Support for Parents and Caregivers
HAVEN also supports non-abusive parents and caregivers as they help their children cope with the effects of abuse. A caring adult can make a powerful difference in a child's healing process.
Support from a safe parent, family member, advocate, and community can help children build resilience and feel less alone.
Questions & Answers
FAQ: Child/Youth Services
Yes. Children do not have to be directly harmed to be impacted by domestic violence. Seeing, hearing, or living in an environment where abuse is happening can affect a child’s emotional well-being, sense of safety, behavior, relationships, and development. Every child responds differently, and support can help them process their experiences in healthy ways.
Yes. We provide non-abusing caregivers with supportive resources, information, and presentations focused on topics such as healthy relationships, warning signs of abuse, bullying (both online and in person), internet safety, and the effects of trauma on children and teens. Our goal is to help families feel informed, supported, and empowered.
Supporting a child after trauma starts with creating a safe, supportive, and consistent environment. Listening without judgment, validating their feelings, maintaining routines, and seeking supportive services can all help children heal. Our advocates can also provide age-appropriate coping tools, emotional support, and resources for both children and non-abusing caregivers.
Yes. Youth and teens can speak with an advocate for support, resources, and safety planning. Our youth advocacy services are confidential and non-mandatory, meaning we are here to support and empower you without pressure. We want young people to feel safe, heard, and supported when reaching out for help.
An advocate can support you in many different ways depending on what you need. They can sit with you at the hospital, be with you if you choose to talk with police and help explain what is happening in a way that makes sense. They can also walk you through your options so you can make informed decisions, provide emotional support, and connect you to additional resources that may help.
Even if you are under 18, you can still reach out for support and ask for an advocate whenever you need one.
Help Is Available
It is never too late to get help for your family. HAVEN, Inc. is here to support children, youth, and caregivers affected by domestic abuse, sexual assault, or family violence.
To learn more about Child and Youth Services, call (715) 536-1300 or email [email protected]
Find Help
Get In-Touch
If you or someone you care about is experiencing abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, or another unsafe situation, HAVEN, Inc. is here to help.
Reach out for confidential support, safety planning, resources, and guidance from someone who understands.