Children across the Vale of Glamorgan who have experienced domestic abuse will receive specialist support through a new programme launched by Vale Domestic Abuse Services (Vale DAS), thanks to £60,000 funding from South Wales Freemasons.
The new Rebuilding Safety and Connection programme is funded for two years and will provide targeted support for up to 70 children aged four to 16 who have been directly or indirectly affected by domestic abuse.
Combining one to one therapeutic support with parent and child play and relational sessions, the 12-week programme has been designed to help children feel safer and more emotionally secure, improve emotional regulation, strengthen relationships with their parent, and better engage with school and their peers.
The programme has been developed in response to growing demand for specialist support for children across the Vale of Glamorgan. In 2024 to 2025, Vale DAS saw referrals increase by around 30 per cent compared with the previous year. More than half of those accessing support were parents, and the charity now has a waiting list for its Children and Young People’s Service.
Last year alone, Vale DAS supported more than 100 children and young people, with referrals continuing to come from schools and partner agencies across the county.
Many of the children supported by the charity have lived with or witnessed domestic abuse, coercive control and other traumatic experiences. These experiences can leave children struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional de-regulation, and difficulties forming trusting relationships. Without timely support, these challenges can have a lasting impact on their emotional wellbeing, education and future opportunities.
The new programme aims to intervene early, giving children the safe, consistent support they need to process their experiences, rebuild confidence and strengthen family relationships before difficulties escalate.
The grant from South Wales Freemasons comes through the Freemasons’ Charity, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Vicky Friis, Chief Executive Officer of Vale Domestic Abuse Services, said:
“We’re very grateful to South Wales Freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to continue supporting survivors of domestic abuse and their children to rebuild their lives. As the only specialist domestic abuse service in the Vale of Glamorgan, we understand that children experience abuse in their own right and need specialist support to recover from its impact.”
Robert Payne from South Wales Freemasons, said:
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help Vale Domestic Abuse Services with their hugely important programme helping child survivors of domestic abuse. Without the support of organisations like this, these children can suffer permanent harm, including anxiety and low self-esteem. It can also have a serious effect on their ability to learn. With the help of this wonderful charity these children will be able to take full advantage of their education.”