Caught in the middle

Some parents think their children never listen.

This message is brought to you by the young people in the Gathering Youth Voices project.

When it comes to family violence, especially between their parents, children are hearing and seeing all too much. In Canada, many children will witness violence in their homes this year. What's worse, even if it's not directed at them, children often blame themselves, feeling caught in the middle.

The impact can be worse than a slap in the face—children's emotional scars can last a lifetime. Those scars become visible in damaged health, school performance and social relationships. Children say it hurts, and they need adults to stop the violence.

Youth Art: Kelly Smith, Sydney Nova Scotia

[Click to Enlarge Youth Art]

Please find out more from the UN Secretary-General's Study on Violence Against Children www.unicef.ca/childprotection/violencestudy

For free copies of this poster contact the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence at www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/nc-cn or 1-800-267-1291

• UNICEF
• Save the Children Canada
• Canadian Council of Provincial Child and Youth Advocates
• Public Health Agency of Canada

The opinions expressed in this poster are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.