Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Effects Of Domestic Violence On Children

According to NCADV national statistics, 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.

Many children exposed to violence in the home are also victims of the abuse. What is important to remember is that, even though you may think they haven’t witnessed, there is a good chance they have. Many times children who live in an abusive home are referred to as the silent victim. Children who witness domestic violence or are victims of abuse themselves are at serious risk for long-term physical and mental health issues, this is why early intervention is so important. Children who witness violence between parents may also be at greater risk of being violent in their future relationships. If you are a parent who is experiencing abuse, it can be difficult to know how to protect your child.

What can the YWCA do to help children who have witnessed or have been victims of domestic violence?

Our program provides FREE and confidential counseling services to all children who have exposed on any sort of level.

I am no longer in a relationship with my abuser, how can I co-parent with someone who abused me and/or my children for so long?

Sharing children with someone who has abused you or your children is never easy. Check out our Parenting After Violence Program.

Short-term Effects on Children

Generalized anxiety
High activity levels
Intense worry about their safety or the safety of a parent.
Difficulty concentrating
Increased aggression
Increased anxiety about being separated from a parent.
Sleeplessness
Nightmares
Long-term effects of domestic violence on children:
Physical Health Problems
Behavior problems in adolescence (e.g., juvenile delinquency, alcohol/substance abuse)
Emotional difficulties in adulthood (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD)
Lower scores on measures of verbal, motor, and social skills

Please take a moment to check out the series of three videos, that show the effects on children who have been removed from the home due to the exposure of domestic violence. The ReMoved films are produced by Nathanael & Christina Matanick, co-directed by Nathanael Matanick and Tony, and written by Christina Matanick.