This report discusses an exploratory study that aimed to obtain feedback on domestic violence interventions designed to assist children and their mothers. It is part of a larger study that monitors how District Health Boards are responding to Ministry of Health initiatives aimed at increasing the responsiveness of the health system to the needs of women and children at risk for family violence (see Koziol-McLain et al, 2004, for the first report). The authors felt it pertinent to gain the perspectives of children because effective intervention requires that the needs of children be acknowledged and incorporated into service delivery. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with three young people aged between 16 and 18 years and nine mothers or female primary caregivers. The authors had to resort to interviewing women who had experienced domestic violence to obtain a picture of usefulness for intervention with children because they did not conduct as many interviews with children as they would have liked. There was varied feedback on the interventions and support that women and children received. The difficulties they experienced are discussed. Children tended to be disregarded by agencies and their needs not prioritised. They were seen as powerless and dependent on their mothers' choices. The participants emphasised the importance of children's voice and make several suggestions that would improve interventions. The authors conclude that the helping professionals should be receptive to children's voice. In addressing the gap in services for children the authors make a number of research recommendations which, if adopted, would result in capturing children's views. Limitations of the study are discussed.

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