BREAKING THE CYCLE
FORTIS EDUCATION'S MISSION TO TRANSFORM LIVES
BRIDGING THE EDUCATIONAL GAP
Domestic violence is the most common factor of all referrals to children’s social care services and cuts across all socio-economic groups and backgrounds. According to studies, it affects 1 in 6 young people with far reaching effects into adulthood.
Impacts are physical, social, emotional, cognitive and behavioural which disrupts schooling, educational experiences and outcomes. Many children who experience domestic violence do not attend school, experience difficulties with concentration, eating issues, high stress levels, sleep disturbances, hyper-vigilance and are more likely to be excluded from school in comparison to their peers. Low educational outcomes often lead to chronic unemployment, criminal offending, and perpetrator violence.
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Impact on School Attendance:
Children exposed to domestic violence are significantly more likely to experience irregular school attendance. According to a report by UNICEF, these children are 1.5 times more likely to be absent from school, hindering their academic progress and social interactions.
Increased Risk of School Exclusion:
Research from the Children’s Commissioner for England indicates that children who witness domestic violence are three times more likely to be excluded from school compared to their peers. This is often due to behavioral issues stemming from trauma rather than academic performance.
Difficulties in Concentration:
A study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that children from backgrounds of domestic violence show a marked decrease in concentration levels, which directly impacts their learning and academic achievements. This is attributed to the stress and trauma experienced at home.
Lower Educational Outcomes:
The Department for Education in the UK reported that children affected by domestic violence are twice as likely to live in households with chronic unemployment and are less likely to achieve high grades in GCSEs, A Levels, or IB qualifications, setting a trajectory for continued socioeconomic challenges.
"Thank you for showing me an unbelievable world that has opened up for me through education. In the refuge I would never have even dreamed of Cambridge. Your trust helped me trust. You have changed my life and my family’s."
- Student, Fortis World outreach programme
BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE, TOGETHER
Fortis Education aims to stop the cycle and provide tailored educational support to improve life chances. Through our outreach programmes, many children have gained scholarships and bursaries to independent schools, they have gained GCSE, A Level and IB qualifications and gained places at Russell Group, Oxbridge and Ivy League universities.
Fortis World is a place where all children believe in and achieve their potential. All children deserve the opportunity to change their lives and succeed without limit.
If you’d like to contribute to events, programmes and fundraising, please get in touch.
