Children and Domestic Violence

Children who live in a home where battering occurs are likely to experience a variety of negative effects and problems.

• Children may be injured during an incident of violence, may suffer feelings of helplessness, may blame themselves for not preventing violence or for causing it, and be abused or neglected themselves.
• Children in violent homes face a dual threat: witnessing traumatic events and the threat of physical assault.
• Children living with domestic violence experience unnaturally high levels of anxiety.
• Children may suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder even after a single incident.
• Children exposed to domestic violence often experience difficulties in school.
• Children living in violent homes have more frequent incidents of truancy, theft, insomnia, temper tantrums, and violence toward others than children raised in a non-violent atmosphere.
• Studies indicate that boys exposed to family violence tend to be overly aggressive and disruptive. They also show that girls exposed to family violence are more withdrawn and behave more passively than girls not exposed to violence.
• Children who live in a home where battering occurs are likely to experience a variety of negative effects and problems.
• Children who live in abusive homes have a higher risk of juvenile delinquency and substance abuse.
• Children affected by domestic violence experience behavioral effects which can include aggressiveness, lack of creativity, increased social isolation and withdrawal, and poor problem solving skills.
• Children often experience dognitive effects from witnessing violence, which can include feelings of incompetence and difficulties focusing.
• Finally, children living with domestic violence are 9 times more likely than their counterparts from non-violent homes, to grow up to be batterers or victims of domestic violence.

It is extremely important for children who live in violent homes to have a simple safety plan...

• Warn children to stay out of the adults' conflicts
• Make a list of people the children can trust and talk to when they are feeling unsafe (neighbors, teachers, relatives, friends).
• Decide ahead of time on a safe place the children can go when they feel unsafe.
• Teach children how to use police and other emergency phone numbers.

The children's support groups at DVSAC provide a safe, comfortable, and positive atmosphere for children to interact and learn. Topics addressed during these groups include self-esteem, feelings, anger management, and problem solving skills, appropriate touch, different types of abuse, communication, assertiveness, and appropriate self-expression. Please contact DVSAC for information on enrollment.