Domestic Violence Help by State
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.
"Families under stress produce children under stress. If a spouse is being abused and there are children in
the home, the children are affected by the abuse." (Ackerman and Pickering, 1989)
Dynamics of domestic violence
are unhealthy for children:
* control of family by one dominant member.
* abuse of a parent.
* isolation.
* protecting the "family secret".
Children
react to their environment in different ways, and reactions can vary depending on the child's gender and age.
Children
exposed to family violence are more likely to develop social, emotional, psychological and or behavioral problems than those
who are not. 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. The trauma they experience can show
up in emotional, behavioral, social and physical disturbances that effect their development and can continue into adulthood.
Some 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.
* Out of control behavior.
* Reduced intellectual competency.
* Manipulation, dependency, mood swings.
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.