Children who experience violence at home may find it difficult to speak about what is happening to them. Some may also believe they are responsible for the problems within their families. A foundation started by former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre and his wife, Ali, aims to help such children find support within their schools.
The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation now operates 30 school-based support centres under its Margaret's Place programme. The centres provide counselling and safe spaces for students affected by domestic violence, abuse and trauma. The foundation says it reached more than 49,000 children during the current year.
According the organisation's webiste, it has directly served more than 275,000 young people, their families, schools and communities since it was established in 2002. Its work is based on the belief that children should have access to trusted adults and a safe environment where they can discuss difficult experiences.
For Torre, the initiative has a personal connection. He grew up in a household where his father abused his mother, Margaret.
The experience affected his childhood and continued…