Text Box: special circumstances and unique qualities of each child is encouraged when interacting with children. The social worker will address the emotional needs of the children, including the issues surrounding the violence, individually, in groups, as well as with their mothers. At WAO, a very clear principle is that the child is an individual in his or her own right, furthermore corporal punishment is not allowed. Our work with children is yet another way to support the mothers who have sought our assistance. Adapted from the WAO guidelines Visit our website for more details about us... Text Box: Children at WAO come with their mothers who seek shelter at the Refuge and some of the children may move into the Child Care Centre if their mothers need more support. As women and/or children at WAO are mostly survivors of domestic violence, it is important for all of us working with children to not only understand and be sensitive to their needs but recognise their right to be free of violence. Effects of violence Although it may not even seem so, children will be troubled and burdened by the violence they have witnessed or have suffered. They will almost certainly be nurturing a sense of insecurity and worthlessness as a result; which includes their feeling that they did not matter in their parents’ lives. Amongst the many issues children must deal with may be the conflicting views they have about their parents, about violence, about leaving home, and about being at the Refuge or the CCC. Some children would have been happy to leave the abuse and may even have Text Box: influenced their mothers to leave. Other children were not happy to leave. Yet other children may not have been able to understand the reasons for leaving home and for being at WAO. Irrespective of what they felt and went through, leaving home is an overwhelming experience for all children. There will be feelings of regret, self blame, pity for mothers and self, anger, shame and isolation, amongst the many conflicting and confusing feelings children will have. Children will remain at WAO for a temporary period only. The support and memories children will experience during this time should give them a sense of self worth and help towards healing and building their self esteem. Children could draw on this even after they have left the organisation. Children are dependent on adults and need their support. At the both the Refuge and CCC, the staff and volunteers must take on the role of the supportive adults. Every child is different and behaves, acts, responds differently. Familiarity with the Text Box: WAO’s work for Children Text Box: Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) Text Box: January—March 2007 Text Box: Volume Q1/2007 Text Box: Inroads Text Box: Highlights for 25th Anniversary: 25th Anniversary Celebrations at 7.30pm on 5th June 2007 at Actors Studio, Bangsar “Half of Malaysia” Art Exhibition from 28th—29th July 2007 at Rimbun Dahan Text Box: Inside this issue:

Editorial Note:

INROADS will be published every quarter and each quarter will be dedicated to a  theme. This first publication is  on ‘Children’. The 2nd edition will feature articles on Migration.

Body Shop—WAO Brochure in 2006

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Visit to Malaysia -UN Special rapporteur on Education

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Concluding Comments to the crc

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Other News

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AGM 2007

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Wish List

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