It can include physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression.
Witnessing domestic violence has both short-term and long-term effects on children.
The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 25% of kids are exposed to family violence during their lifetime.
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Some of the immediate effects that children experience after witnessing domestic violence are discussed below.
This can breeda state of perpetual anxiety.
For pre-schoolers who witness this, it isnt uncommon to revert to the habits of younger children.
Thumb sucking,bedwetting, increased crying, and whining may result from observing abuse.
School-aged children can develop anti-social traits and may struggle with guilt over the abuse witnessed.
Physical Challenges
Mental health strains are a common result of witnessing the abuse of a parent.
However, these consequences may sometimes be apparent in their physical well-being.
School-aged children may report headaches and stomach pains, which are traceable to the tense situation back home.
They may fight, skip school, engage in risky sexual activities, or dabble in drugs and alcohol.
These teenagers are also very likely to get in trouble with the law.
Some of the long-term effects that children experience after witnessing domestic violence are addressed below.
In fact, assuming that violence occurs in cycles can lead tovictim-blaming.
Abuse can be unpredictable, and it is never OK.
Feeling the pain and anguish of witnessing violence doesn’t always guarantee that children will toe a different path.
In these cases, male children might physically abuse their partners after watching their fathers do the same.
The following are ways to protect a child from domestic abuse.
Children should be taught healthy ways to resolve disputes in friendships.
Takeaways
Domestic violence has the potential to leave lasting marks on direct and indirect victims.
Therapy can also help with navigating the emotional strain and trauma of living in a toxic environment.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Domestic violence and children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About intimate partner violence.
National Domestic Violence Hotline.Domestic violence statistics.
U.S. Department of Justice.Children exposed to violence.
Office on Womens Health.Effects of domestic violence on childrens health.
2015;56(4):723-752. doi:10.1111/tsq.12107
