HC Deb 11 March 2004 vol 418 cc1726-7W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research Government departments have conducted within the past five years into the effects of domestic violence on children; and what the main conclusions were. [159802]

Margaret Hodge

There is considerable research already available conducted by experts in this field of social policy that highlights the effects of domestic violence on children. The main conclusions are that children who have been exposed to domestic violence demonstrate more aggression, antisocial behaviour and anger, as well as withdrawal, depression, suicidal behaviour, anxiety, fears, phobias, insomnia and low self-esteem, compared to children who have not suffered these experiences.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are(a) in place and (b) planned to increase the consistency among geographical areas of standards of domestic violence services aimed at children. [159803]

Margaret Hodge

Local authorities, in partnership with other agencies, both statutory and voluntary, are expected to assess the needs of children in their areas, in accordance with the duties imposed on them by Part III of the Children Act 1989 and then to determine the range of services that will need to be available in order to respond to those needs. This process, inevitably and properly, leads to diversity in the provision of services at local level.