Children ages 7-11 who witness domestic violence face risks of physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and biological harm. They are more likely to experience problems like depression, anxiety, poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and difficulty forming relationships. Witnessing domestic violence can teach children unhealthy lessons about relationships and gender roles. It may also negatively impact brain development and increase chances of perpetuating abuse as adults. However, some children demonstrate resilience when provided a secure and supportive environment with services to meet their needs.

1. The Effects of Domestic Violence on ChildrenAges 7-11By: Linda Kissack ,

2. UNICEF (2006) defines domestic violence or intimate partner violence as “a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviours including physical, sexual and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion used by adults or adolescents against their current or former intimate partner” (p. 1).2

3. Statistics10 to 20 percent of children are at risk for exposure to domestic violence. In 38% of incidents of intimate partner violence, children under age 12 were residents in the household.Child abuse occurs in 30 to 60 percent of family violence cases that involve families with children.(The Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009). 3

4. In 2009, Texas reported…193,505 family violence incidents 111 women killed by an intimate partner44% of the women killed had childrenIn 19 of the cases, one or more children witnessed the death of their mother6 children were murdered as well108 children lost one or both parents(Texas Council on Family Violence, 2010).4

5. Children are exposed to domestic violence by: Directly witnessing the abuseSuffering harm incidental to the abuseBeing forced to watch or participate in the abuse of the victimBeing used as a spyBeing used by the abuser to manipulate the victim(Stop Violence Against Women, 2010).5

6. Children who live with domestic violence face the following increased risks: Being neglectedLosing their home and living in a shelterBeing directly abusedLosing one or both of their parentsDeath (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009).6

7. Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to suffer from biological, social, emotional, and/or cognitive development problems than those who are not.7

8. The Effects of Domestic Violence on Biological Development Psychosomatic problemsEating and sleeping patterns are disruptedNightmaresGastrointestinal problemsBed-wettingMemory problems8

9. Biological Development NervousnessDepressionAnxietyStressPanic9

10. Biological Development ShameEasily IrritatedSubstance abuseInability to regulate emotionsUnderdeveloped cortex10

11. The Effects of Domestic Violence on Cognitive DevelopmentPoor concentration and focusLow academic achievementPoor adaptation to learning environmentPoor language skillsLack conflict resolution skills11

12. Cognitive Development Overreact to non-threatening triggers Difficulty with tasks requiring higher-order thinking skillsCreate rationalizations to justify abuseDissociate from situationFocused on survival12

13. Cognitive DevelopmentWorry excessivelyConfusedThoughts of inadequacyLie to cover up the abuseLearn distorted gender roles13

14. The Effects of Domestic Violence on Social DevelopmentIsolated from othersUncomfortable in social situationsUnable to trust othersLack peer relationshipsProtect siblings14

15. Social Development DisobedientLow self-esteemHostile towards othersOppositional behaviorTake on parent responsibilities15

16. Social Development Eager to please othersBully othersBecome victims of bullyingIndustrious vs. inferiorCompare themselves to others16

17. The Effects of Domestic Violence on Emotional Development Negative self-conceptUnworthyConstantly afraidFeel insecureFeel unloved17

18. Emotional DevelopmentJealous of others Become more aware of their own reactions to violenceFeel anxious Concerned for their motherFrustrated18

19. Emotional DevelopmentHelplessGuiltyResponsibleVengefulResigned19

20. Unhealthy lessons children may learn from violence against their mothersViolence and threats get you what you wantA person has two choices- to be the aggressor or be the victimWhen people hurt others, they do not get in troublePeople who love you can also hurt youUnhealthy, unequal relationships are normal or to be expected(Cunningham, A., & Baker, L., 2007).20

21. “Boys who witness their mother’s abuse are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys raised in non-violent homes”(Domestic Violence Roundtable, 2008, “Long Term Effects,” para. 1). 21

22. “Girls who witness their mother’s abuse may grow to believe that threats and violence are the norm in relationships”(Domestic Violence Roundtable, 2008, “Long Term Effects,” para. 1). 22

23. Not all children exposed to domestic violence exhibit negative effects. Some children demonstrate enormous resiliency and use their situation as motivation to excel in school and in life.“Schoolchildren who seem unscathed by their troubled, stressful homes have been called resilient or even invincible” (Berger, 2010, p.275).23

24. How can we protect children from the effects of domestic violence?Provide a safe and secure environmentListen to them, believe them, shelter themProvide a routineProvide support services to meet their individual needsTeach them that domestic violence is wrongTeach them non-violent methods of resolving conflicts(UNICEF, 2006). 24

25. Children Suffering in SilenceThe link is to a KXLY 4 News story about a family that escaped from a violent home. It includes an interview with the children describing how they were affected by their exposure to domestic violence.25

26. ReferencesBaker, L., & Cunningham, A. (2007). Little eyes, little ears: How violence against a mother shapes children as they grow. Ottawa, Ontario: Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System. Berger, K.S. (2010). In Invitation to the Lifespan. New York: Worth Publishers. KXLY4 News (Producer). (2007, November 07). Children suffering in silence the pain of domestic violence [Video webcast]. In KXLY4 Focus. Retrieved from http://wwww.youtube.com/user/KXLY#p/search/0/eh5fzzn_0NUStop Violence Against Women. (2006). Effects of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.stopvaw.org/ effects_of_domestic_violence_on_children.htmlTexas Council on Family Violence. (2010). Honoring Texas victims: Family fatalities in 2009. Retrieved from http://www.tcfv.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/killListReport-v2.pdfThe Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Domestic violence and the child welfare system. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domesticviolcene.cfmUNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf26