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RAM Sidhu, a School Trustee candidate with the Surrey Civic Coalition, wants to bring an end to the cycle of domestic violence.

Sidhu, who attended the annual conference hosted by the Surrey Coalition against Domestic Abuse (SCADA) on November 8, said, “This conference is an important reminder about the need for education around domestic violence for children and youth. We must commit to breaking the cycle.”

The conference is sponsored by the City of Surrey and community agencies which provide services to families in crisis. The theme of this year’s conference was Breaking the Cycle of Violence for Children and Youth.

Sidhu said the conference focused on children and youth this year because the members of SCADA feel that children are the silent victims of domestic violence and in order to deal with this epidemic we need to address the needs of children and also at the same time educate them.

Sidhu, a founding member of the Save Our Daughters Coalition, has worked with victims of violence for the past 11 years. She said, “I have seen first-hand the negative effects that witnessing domestic violence has on children. If we can break the cycle when children are young and able to learn, then we can achieve positive change and live in a community free from domestic violence.”

Sidhu said statistics reveal 37 per cent of children in Canada have witnessed some form of violence. Educators may see on average three to five students in per classroom who have witnessed violence at home.

Exposure to family violence can affect how children view themselves, their family, or life in general. This can lead to negative changes in behavior such as withdrawing from friends and activities, a lack of concentration, school truancy, and adopting violent or bullying behavior.

Sidhu said there is more schools can do to help vulnerable children. She said, “Currently many elementary schools do not have full-time counsellors to help these children deal with the violence they are seeing at home. Research points out that in homes where there is domestic violence the abuse may also extend to the children.

“It is crucial that these children receive the support they require to minimize the negative impact on them and also to ensure their safety at home.”

Sidhu also said we need to teach our children about “safe and respectful relationships” so they do not continue the cycle of violence. “Through early intervention and education we can create safer communities for families,” she added.

Original article: http://www.asianjournal.ca/nov%2011_11/news_round5.html

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