Children and Domestic Violence
Children who witness domestic violence have their own issues and needs specific to their situation. The effect of witnessing violence depends on a variety of factors, such as the child´s age, gender and race, the duration and severity of the violence, the presence of substance abuse, the parent-child relationships, and whether the child was a direct victim of violence. Children may experience physical, behavioral, cognitive and/or social problems due to living within a violent environment.
Physical and Emotional Effects
- Headaches, asthma, intestinal difficulties, ulcers, eczema, diarrhea or sleep difficulties including nightmares and bed-wetting
- Actual physical abuse resulting in broken bones, bruises, sprains and lacerations
- Feelings of separation and loss, anger, emotional pain, fear, anxiety, guilt or confusion
Behavioral Effects
- Difficulties in identifying and expressing feelings in appropriate ways
- Withdrawn or passive, depression, anxiety
- Aggressive and destructive behaviors
- Difficulty trusting, difficulty with intimate relationships
- Isolated from family members and community
- Excessive crying, dependency, impulsivity, tantrums, self-mutilation
- Misdiagnosis of ADHD
Cognitive and Social Effects
- Violence becomes a means to solving problems
- Insensitivity to others
- Affects school success: truancy, poor performance, fatigue, school phobias
