Abstract
Purpose
Children and young people living with domestic violence experience one or more stays in domestic violence shelters. This article presents findings from a study that investigated the experiences and perspectives of French-speaking children and young people on domestic violence, with a focus on their time in domestic violence shelters in Québec and Ontario (Canada).
Method
The findings presented in this article are based on data collected through 25 semi-structured individual interviews conducted with children and young people who had experienced domestic violence and had received services from a shelter. The participants were aged 7 to 18, with 16 participants identifying as girls and 9 identifying as boys. Thematic content analysis was conducted using NVivo. The theoretical framework guiding this study is the new sociology of childhood.
Results
The research findings highlight the importance of listening to children’s and young people’s voices to understand their recovery process, showing that their stay in a shelter was a key element in this process. Living in a violence-free environment and being able to play without fear helped create a sense of normality, which played an important role in their healing process.
Conclusion
Practitioners and policymakers should not underestimate the positive role that shelters can play in the recovery process for children and young people living with domestic violence. Being free from violence, feeling safe, empowered, and involved in decision-making can significantly contribute to their recovery.