Domestic violence not only has a significant impact on the victim, but also the children. It can especially be traumatic if the child was close to the violence seeing and hearing what is going on. Also the younger the child, the harder it is for them to understand. The severity of the violence are other factors. Children may even be victims of physical abuse as well.
The following are a variety of emotional responses and consequences children will exhibit as a result of exposure to domestic violence.
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intense terror
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fear of death
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rage
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fear of loss of parent
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feelings of guilt for not being to protect parent
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viewing the world as threatening, hostile, and unpredictable
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feeling low self-esteem
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loss of feeling joy
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feeling a sense of responsibility for the violence
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feelings of hopelessness
It can significantly impact the future of children, as the trauma can manifest clinically into the following:
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anxiety disorders-separation anxiety, PTSD
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disruptive disorders-ADHD, ODD, conduct disorder
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mood disorders- major depression, dysthymia
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low self-esteem, passivity
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thoughts of suicide and/or homicide
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substance abuse
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poor school grades
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poor social skills
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behavioral problems
Treatment for DV exposed children include individual play therapy, group therapy- DV exposed group, and family therapy.
If you or someone you know is affected by Domestic Violence, break the cycle by calling:
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE), 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Call 911
Help through email: ndvh@ndvh.org
RESOURCES:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
Family Violence Prevention Fund
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
BOOKS RELATED TO THIS TOPIC
Beauty For Ashes: Receiving Emotional Healing (Revised Edition)
Don’t Hit My Mommy: A Manual For Child-parent Psychotherapy With Young Witnesses Of Family Violence
Children Who See Too Much: Lessons from the Child Witness to Violence Project
The Rules of Survival
Childhood Experiences of Domestic Violence
APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment
The Impact of Family Violence on Children and Adolescents (Developmental Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry)
