For Children Who Witness Domestic Violence
The ProKids Steps to Peace (StoP) program was created to address the critical needs of children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. Countless studies show that violence in the home has a significant impact on children’s brain development and their physical and mental health. Studies also show that many children go untreated because domestic violence often goes undetected—creating a cycle of violence that is passed from generation to generation.
Steps to Peace was awarded the 2008 Ohio Attorney General Promising Practice Award, which recognizes the outstanding services of an Ohio organization that empowers victims of crime.
Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate 1,500 times higher than the national average.1
Children age 5 who were exposed to high levels of domestic violence had an IQ, on average, eight points lower than unexposed children.
ProKids CASAs are trained to recognize and address domestic violence issues.
Steps to Peace offers CASAs training in using risk-assessment tools. These tools help CASAs determine whether domestic violence is present, and direct them to the proper sources for help. In-depth training concerning the batterer and the victim is offered following the risk-assessment training. During these training sessions, CASAs learn to use risk-assessment tools properly, learn the protocol in addressing issues that arise, and learn about what resources are available to the community.
In 2007, abuse stopped for 99 percent of the children served by ProKids.
1National Women Abuse Prevention Project, Washington D.C.
2 Koenen, et al. 2003; Putnam. 2003.
