COMMUNITY BULLETIN: Keep Summer Safe
Keep Summer Safe is DVAC’s awareness campaign for the summer. Every summer thousands of children and thousands of families face the prospect of visitation with a non-custodial parent. This raises anxiety, and risk. As a community we want you to know that children are experiencing this in the background of their lives – while you are seeing them at summer school, summer fun, art classes, baseball games, canoe races, church services, and play dates.
We ask you to note changes in behavior, intimidation by “visiting- non-custodial” parent, bruises, fear in the eyes of children before pick up time, or the need for assistance with a safety plan (you don’t have to be an expert. Call us at the Domestic Violence Action Center - we can help).
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Ask questions of the child(ren).
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Let them share.
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Let them know any conversation will be confidential.
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Let them know you are a safe adult they can trust.
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Ask them what they would like you to do.
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Ask them what kind of help they may need.
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Ask them if you can speak to their non-offending, custodial parent.
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Let them know you are listening deeply.