Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, has provided funding to Restorative Solutions to help support families quarantining together who are struggling with child-on-parent abuse.
Restorative Solutions, an organisation that provides restorative services across the county, is amending their Step-up family programme to provide over-the-phone support to those quarantining together during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The programme will launch on Monday 11 May and provide families with needs-based support where parents/carers are experiencing abuse from a child between the ages of 11-17. The aim of the support is to families to stay safe, learn how to deal with conflict, set boundaries and family rules. The Police can refer families or can offer a self-referral option to families.
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “Abuse can come in many forms and from anyone.
“Children can become the abuser in a home setting and cause fear and intimidation in parents and carers.
“It’s imperative that there are services available to every person that is facing abuse that can provide support and advice to help defer and defuse a negative situation.
“This is even more important since we’ve entered quarantine and families are spending more time in each other’s company, when emotions run high and a situation can quickly turn volatile.
“If you are facing abuse please call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency – your report will be taken seriously.”
Jane Wignall, Step-up Coordinator, said: “During these extraordinary times of isolation due to the Covid Pandemic, Restorative Solutions Step Up team are delighted to announce that we are now available to work with families experiencing child on parent violence and abuse in the home, via telephone and video calls.
“Step Up:Remote has been funded by the Office of Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner and will run for 3 months from 11th May 2020.”
