DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - THE EFFECTS ON CHILDREN

Domestic Violence affects the victim as well as those around them. In many cases children are in the middle of domestic violence disputes that can have traumatic effects on them.

How many children witness the abuse of their mothers?
Studies show that 3-4 million children between the ages of 3-17 are at risk of exposure to domestic violence each year. U.S. government statistics say that 95% of domestic violence cases involve women victims of male partners. The children of these women often witness the domestic violence.

The emotional realm for children who have witnessed domestic violence is intricate and complicated. Children who have witnessed domestic violence can have behaviors that many would consider "adult," including:

• Depression
• Hypersensitivity/hypervigilence (this often gets misdiagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder)
• Low self-esteem
• Repressed or overt anger and resentment
• Extreme guilt, self-blame and shame
• Developmental regression
• Impaired ability to form typical social relationships with peers, teachers and other adults
• Suicidal thoughts or suicidal plans

There are a number of behavioral problems that can be associated with witnessing domestic violence. Common behaviors can include:

• Aggressive, anti-social behavior toward peers and adults, including their mother
• Fear or anxiety about separation, especially from their mother
• Withdrawal from social contact and inability to form typical peer relationships
• Learning and attention problems at school
• Choosing inappropriate peers or friends
• Violent behavior aimed at peers, younger siblings or animals

Another lasting effect of domestic violence is that children can learn to suppress their emotions. Silence and secrecy often surround homes where domestic violence is present, and children assume that if adults are not talking about it then they aren't supposed to either. (Source: YWCA, Through Their Eyes: Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Children)

If you work with children on a daily basis and you come across or know of a child that may be going through a domestic violence situation. It is important to communicate with them and try to find out what happened. You can do this by asking the following questions:

• What did you see? (Were they forced to watch? Did they see evidence afterwards?)
• What did you hear? (Threats, throwing of objects, etc.)
• What did you do? (Flee, freeze, hide, get sick, etc.)
• How close to the violence were you?
• Were you scared?
• What did you want to happen? What did happen?

(Source: Children's Advocate newsmagazine, published by Action Alliance for Children, 1997)

It is important that you report this to local authorities. You may or may-not be called in to testify if the case goes to court. Providing support for children by getting involved with groups that provide assistance is the most important step we can take. We must protect them from future encounters without causing additional problems for the child.

"Lets be the voice for these children by offering them a bright future"

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