Oxfordshire charity to bring people affected by domestic homicide to Parliament
Children Heard and Seen hope to shape support for anyone impacted
An Oxfordshire charity is heading to Westminster today to amplify the voices of children affected by domestic homicide - a group its founder says is too often “hidden behind the headlines.”
Children Heard and Seen, founded in 2014, supports children who have experienced the imprisonment of a parent, including those whose parent has murdered the other.
Speaking ahead of the visit to Houses of Parliament, founder and CEO Sarah Burrows said the charity’s attention is always on the child, not the offence or the imprisoned parent.
“Some of them could be victims of the parent’s offence, or not able to see that parent,” she explained. “But the focus is just on the child and the family caring for them in the community.”
From Oxfordshire to a national reach
Originally set up in Oxfordshire, the charity has expanded significantly, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a public appeal for donated laptops, the organisation moved much of its work online, allowing children across the UK to access support.
Today, it continues to offer face-to-face services locally, including from its base at Hill End Outdoor Education Centre, while supporting families nationwide virtually.
Its work includes one-to-one sessions, group support and mentoring, helping children process trauma and connect with others in similar situations.
“Children often feel a sense of isolation and secrecy,” Sarah said. “By meeting others, they realise that actually, they are okay.”
The lasting impact of trauma
For many children, the emotional impact of having a parent in prison - particularly in cases of domestic homicide - can be profound.
“There’s a lot of shame, secrecy and stigma,” Sarah explained. “Many haven’t even told their teachers. They hold that shame that isn’t theirs.”
She added that without support, the effects can carry into adulthood, making early intervention critical.
In some extreme cases, children face what’s often described as a “double bereavement” from losing one parent to death and the other to prison.
Bringing lived experience to Westminster
Today’s meeting in Westminster brings together an advisory group of adults who experienced domestic homicide as children.
The aim is to learn directly from their experiences to improve support for future generations.
“For them, this is the first time they’ve met others who’ve gone through the same thing,” Sarah said. “That’s incredibly powerful.”
The group will also meet representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s office to discuss current policies and potential reforms.
Harry and Jordan's story
Attending the event are Oxfordshire brothers Harry and Jordan Bradbury - whose mother was murdered by their farther when they were young children.
They both described a lack of awareness and support at school and are pushing for changes which could help others.
Harry and Jordan, alongside Sarah, recently featured in the following short film about domestic homicide created by Children Heard and Seen.
A call for change
The charity is using the Westminster visit to push for wider systemic changes, including:
- Children to be identified to local authorities when one parent murders the other
- Children’s voices to be central to decisions about their care and support
- Professionals receiving training to understand the unique trauma these children experience
- Children affected by domestic homicide to be recognised within national policy on violence against women and girls