Teenagers who see violence get website

Dec 18 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A NEW website is to be launched for teenagers living with domestic violence.

Kensington’s Health Energy Team (HEAT), supported by Kensington Regeneration, is to create the site specifically for young people trying to deal with one parent abusing the other.

Natalie Wilkie, mediation and youth advocate for HEAT, and co-ordinator of the website said: “We wanted to tackle domestic violence in Kensington.

“I did a lot of research on the web and couldn’t find an open website forum.

“I thought, this is really not helpful, because the sites weren’t geared up for mini-adults – it was more for young children.

“I thought there was a real gap in the provision, as the age group we’re talking about, 11-18-year-olds, would probably not phone a service like Childline because they would be too old.”

The site is expected to go live next April, with a competition inviting local pupils to choose the site’s name being launched next year.

Liverpool Council for Voluntary Services has donated £2,000 which has allowed HEAT to design and construct the website, and it is now seeking funds for an online counsellor.