Children and The Effects Of Domestic Violence

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Domestic violence affects every member of the family, including the children. Family violence creates a home environment where children live in constant fear. Children who witness family violence are affected in ways similar to children who are physically abused..They are often unable to establish nurturing bonds with either parent. Children are at greater risk for abuse and neglect if they live in a violent home. Statistics show that over 3 million children witness violence in their home each year. Those who see and hear violence in the home suffer physically and emotionally.

 Recent research indicates that children who witness domestic violence show more anxiety, low self esteem, depression, anger and temperament problems than children who do not witness violence in the home.

Potential Effects:

Emotional:

-Grief for family and personal losses.-
-Shame, guilt, and self blame.
-Confusion about conflicting feelings toward parents.
-Fear of abandonment, or expressing emotions, the unknown or personal injury.
-Anger.
-Depression and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness.
-Embarrassment.


Behavioral:

-Acting out or withdrawing.
-Aggressive or passive.
-Refusing to go to school.
-Care taking; acting as a parent substitute.
-Lying to avoid confrontation.
-Rigid defenses.
-Excessive attention seeking.
-Bedwetting and nightmares.
-Reduced intellectual competency.


Social:
-Isolation from friends and relatives.
-Stormy relationships.
-Difficulty in trusting, especially adults.
-Poor anger management and problem solving skills.
-Excessive social involvement to avoid home.
-Passivity with peers or bullying.
-Engaged in exploitative relationships as perpetrator or victim.


Physical:
-Somatic complaints, headaches and stomachaches.
-Nervous, anxious, short attention span.
-Tired and lethargic.
-Frequently ill.
-Poor personal hygiene.
-Regression in development.
-High risk play.
-Self abuse