Effects on Children
Domestic abuse can have a profound impact on children, affecting their lives both now and into the future. For instance, children raised in homes with spousal violence face a staggering 15 times greater risk of experiencing child abuse themselves. It's troubling to note that 75% of men who are abusive towards their partners also tend to abuse their children. Additionally, women who endure abuse are eight times more likely to harm their children compared to when they are in safe environments. The cycle of violence often perpetuates, as adolescent boys who witness abuse at home are ten times more likely to become abusive toward their future partners. Similarly, girls who grow up in abusive households are more prone to entering into abusive relationships themselves. In fact, about 75% of children who display violent behavior come from homes where domestic violence is present. This highlights the urgent need to address and prevent domestic abuse to break this cycle and protect the well-being of future generations.
Potential Effects
Emotional Trauma
Children may feel:
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Guilty about the abuse and for not stopping it
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Abuse is their fault
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Excessive grief for family problems/loss and for personal loss
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Confused about conflicting feelings toward the parents: love, hate, fear
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Fear of abandonment, the unknown, and personal injury
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Anger about the violence and the chaos in their lives
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Depressed
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Helpless
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Powerless
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Embarrassed about events and dynamics at home.
Behavioral Problems
Often seen in opposite extremes:
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Act out/withdraw
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Overachieve/underachieve
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Needy/overly independent
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Low self-esteem/overbearing
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Passive/aggressive
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Refuse to go to school
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Other behavioral problems:
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Become caretakers for younger siblings and for parent(s)
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Act aloof, sarcastic, and defensive
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Wet bed
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Frequent nightmares
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Trouble setting own limits and/or following directions
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May scream excessively when infants
Social Difficulties
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Isolated from friends and relatives
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Relationships are frequently stormy, start intensely, and end abruptly
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Difficulty in trusting, especially adults
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Poor conflict resolution and anger management skills
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Excessive social involvement (avoid home life)
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May be overly passive with peers, or bully peers
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Engage in exploitative relationships either as a perpetrator or a victim
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Playing with peers gets exceedingly rough.
Physical Problems
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Somatic complaints (headaches, stomachaches)
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Stuttering
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Nervous, anxious, and a short attention span
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Tired, lethargic
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Frequently ill
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Poor personal hygiene
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Regress to previous developmental stages such as bedwetting, thumb sucking
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Desensitization to pain
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High-risk play and activities
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Self harm
Your children rely on you for their safety and protection. If you're experiencing domestic violence and have kids at home, remember that support is out there for you.