For many, their schoolwork suffers, but others try to suppress their emotions in order to hide that there is anything wrong. This can also be attempt to avoid more violence in the home. They may think that, if they are perfect, their mother will not be hit. She added that people tended to think very young children did not suffer as much as older ones, but Refuge's experience was that children could recall witnessing violence when they were only two or three. They assume that young children by virtue of their age will be okay and will forget, but they do remember and they need an opportunity to talk about what has happened.
Refuge tries to provide that setting.
It assesses every new admission and constructs a psychological profile. Young children are helped to express how they feel using toys and dolls to act out their emotions. The mother had put blankets on her windows and doors so her father would not know they were in. The problem is their troubles are not over when they leave as they get little support. Many say injunctions are not worth the paper they are written on.