The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

To have a better understanding of the effect of domestic violence on children, it is important to understand the complexities of domestic violence and how it is defined.

 Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of social economic status, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs.  Domestic Violence is more than physical abuse – it is about one person’s need to gain power over, and to control, their partner – it includes the belief that there is a right to exercise and maintain that power and control by whatever means necessary.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior committed in dating, living together, or being married. Domestic Abuse exists in many forms and can include:

• Isolation from family and friends
• Emotional abuse
• Monitoring/Stalking
• Controlling the finances
• Physical and sexual assault
• Intimidation and verbal abuse

 The Center for Family Justice reports that:

• On average, 3 women are killed by a current or former intimate partner each day in the United States (Bureau of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics).
• 1 in 4 women have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner (National Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Survey).
• 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).
• 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).
• 1 in 4 victims of intimate partner violence identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs).
• 66 percent of female stalking victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner (National Stalking Resource Center).
• Domestic violence costs more than $8.3 billion a year in medical care, mental health services and lost work productivity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
• The impact of the abuse ripples through a family, affecting not only the victim, but the children as well.

Silent Victims – The Children

• More than 15 million children witness domestic violence each year in the United States (Journal of Family Psychology).
• 3,500 to 4,000 children witness fatal family violence annually in the United States (National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence).
• Children from homes with violence are much more likely to experience significant psychological problems short and long-term (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
• Domestic violence in childhood is directly correlated with learning difficulties, lower IQ scores, deficiencies in visual-motor skills and problems with attention and memory (Journal of Family Violence).
• Children in homes with violence are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average (Journal of Interpersonal Violence).
• Those who grow up with domestic violence are 6 times more likely to commit suicide and 50% more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol (Trauma, Violence & Abuse).
• Children who witness domestic violence are at an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, aggressive behavior, anxiety, impaired development, difficulty interacting with peers, academic problems, and they have a higher incidence of substance abuse (Childhood Abuse & Neglect).
• Children who witness and experience domestic violence are at a greater risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes (Trauma, Violence & Abuse).

Impact of Domestic Violence on Children

Domestic violence has a devastating impact on children and young people that can last into adulthood. Exposure to domestic violence negatively affects children of all ages from infancy to adolescence. Children exposed to domestic violence have a higher risk of developing behavioral, mental health, cognitive, social, physical health, and physiological problems.

 Behavioral

Aggression – Most studies have found that exposure to domestic violence was related to more aggressive behavior in preschool children, in elementary school age children, and in adolescent children.

 Mental Health

Researchers have consistently demonstrated that children who have been exposed to domestic violence have higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms compared with non-exposed children.

 Trauma Symptoms

Researchers have consistently shown that exposure to domestic violence is related to higher numbers of posttraumatic stress symptoms in children.

Cognitive Functioning

Researchers have suggested an indirect effect of domestic violence exposure on cognitive functioning through the child’s sleep quality, as quality of sleep has been shown to be diminished by domestic violence exposure.

Social Outcomes

Researchers have suggested that exposure to domestic violence was significantly related to more aggressive behavior in preschool, which in turn, was related to decreased prosocial skills in elementary school. Research has also indicated that children who are exposed to domestic violence are at an increased risk of bullying perpetration toward their peers.

Physical Health Outcomes

Researchers have suggested that Domestic violence exposure has been linked to several poor child health outcomes such as colds, flu, headaches, stomachaches, aches or pains, or fatigue.

Research has indicated that domestic violence exposure significantly increases the odds of children not meeting language, personal-social, and fine motor-adaptive milestones by age, 3 compared with non-exposed children.

Physiological Outcomes

Researchers have suggested that children who face chronic or acute toxic stress, such as exposure to domestic violence without safe and supportive adult relationships, may develop dysregulated stress response systems.

Summary:

Exposure to domestic violence is a widespread problem that affects children in the short term and over the full course of their lives. Research shows that there are detrimental long-lasting consequences for children exposed at an early age, particularly when considering that key developmental milestones are missed or delayed.

It is important that children who have been exposed to domestic violence engage in trauma-informed interventions and supportive services, such as counseling, to reduce the negative effects of domestic violence exposure.

If you need services for your children who have been exposed to domestic violence, please contact the Southern Ute Health Center, Behavioral Health Department at 970-563-5700 for an appointment.

It’s okay not to feel okay.

If you or someone you know has been struggling with their emotions, behaviors, or substance use please reach out to us. We can help you find appropriate tools and services that could help you overcome obstacles in your life. We are here for you. Please contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division or the Native Connections Program at 970.563.5700 for more information or to set up an appointment to see a counselor or therapist. NEW Nationwide Suicide and Substance Use Crisis line: 9-8-8. Simply calling or texting 988 or chatting 988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline