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Children and Domestic Violence
In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are at high risk of suffering physical abuse themselves. Regardless of whether children are physically abused, the emotional effects of witnessing domestic violence are very similar to the psychological trauma associated with being a victim of child abuse. Each year, an estimated minimum of 3.4 million children witness domestic violence.
Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average.
Exposure to domestic violence has a significant negative impact on a child’s emotional, social and cognitive development. If left unaddressed, this exposure will have long term consequences on a child’s well-being that ultimately will affect their ability to function as healthy adults.
Unlike other forms of trauma like car accidents, serious illness or death of pet, children in domestic violence homes lack access to one or both parents to meet their emotional needs. For a child, it is unsafe to go to the abusing parent, and the battered parent may not have the emotional capability because of his/her own trauma to adequately address the needs of the child.
Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may indirectly receive injuries. They may be hurt when household items are thrown or weapons are used. Older children may be hurt while trying to protect the victim of the abuse.
Here are some shocking statistics:
- 93% of children who are EXPOSED to family violence will be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives.
- 63% of all boys, aged 11-20, who commit murder, killed the man who was abusing their mother.
- 30% – 60% of perpetrators also abuse the children in the home.
- Children are present in 41-55% of homes where police intervene in domestic violence calls.
Witnessing family violence can cause a host of behavioral, social and emotional problems:
- Taking responsibility for the abuse
- Constant anxiety (that another beating will occur)
- Guilt for not being able to stop the abuse or for loving the abuser
- Fear of abandonment
- Anger, hostility
- Depression
- Withdrawal
- Poor peer, sibling and social relationships
- low self esteem
- Regressive behavior
Cognitive and attitudinal problems include:
- Lower cognitive functioning
- Poor school performance
- Lack of conflict resolution skills
- Limited problem solving skills
- Pro-violence attitudes
- And belief in rigid stereotypes and male privilege
Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may experience cognitive or language problems, developmental delay, stress-related physical ailments (such as headaches, ulcers, and rashes), and speech and hearing problems. Long term health risks include:
- Difficulties with attachment
- Aggression
- Anxiety or depression
- Impaired ability to partner and parent later in life
Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys from nonviolent homes. 50% of girls who witness family violence will go on to be victims of abuse in their relationships.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE) is an ongoing collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente. The ACE Study is perhaps the largest scientific research study of its kind, analyzing the relationship between multiple categories of childhood trauma (ACEs), and health and behavioral outcomes later in life. The ACE Study found that children who witness domestic violence are at risk for the following health problems:
- Alcoholism and alcohol abuse
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Depression
- Fetal death
- Health-related quality of life
- Illicit drug use
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD)
- Liver disease
- Risk for intimate partner violence
- Multiple sexual partners
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Smoking
- Suicide attempts
- Unintended pregnancies
- Early initiation of smoking
- Early initiation of sexual activity
- Adolescent pregnancy
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, please contact The Center at (530) 626-1131 or (916) 939-6616. We can help.
Resources:
Carlson, B.E. “Children’s Observations of Interpersonal Violence. “In A. R. Roberts (ed.) Battered Women and Their Families: Intervention Strategies and Treatment Programs. New York: Springer, 19845, 147-167.
“Children: The Forgotten Victims of Marital Violence. “Virginia Child Protection Newsletter, Vol. 19, Spring, 1986.
Gondolf, E. and Fisher, E., “Battered Women as Survivors: An Alternative to Treating Learned Helplessness”. Lexington Books. 1988.
Hotaling, G.T. and Sugarman, D.B.”An analysis of Risk Markers in Husband to Wife Violence: The Current State of Knowledge, “Violence and Victims 1 (20:1986, 101-124).
Layzer, Goodson, and deLange. “Children in Shelters.” Children Today, March-April 1983.
Stacy, W.A. and Shupe, A. The Family Secret “Domestic Violence in America”. Boston: Beacon Press, 1983.
Stark, E. and Flitcraft A. “Woman-Battering, Child Abuse and Social Heredity: What is the relationship?” In Johnson (ed). Marital Violence, Sociological Review Monograph #31, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.
Walker, L. The Battered Woman Syndrome, New York: Springer. 1984
