Effects of domestic violence on children
[2] Children who are exposed to domestic violence in the home often believe that they are to blame, live in a constant state of fear, and are 15 times more likely to be victims of child abuse.
In general, children who are exposed to domestic violence in the home can suffer an immense amount of physical symptoms along with their emotional and behavioral state of despair.
Along with these general complaints of not feeling well, children exposed to domestic violence may also appear nervous, as previously mentioned, and have short attention spans.
Children exposed to domestic violence also have a tendency to partake in high risk play activities, self-abuse, and suicide.
[4] The physical effects of domestic violence on children, unlike the effects of direct abuse, can start when they are a fetus in their mother's womb, which can result in low infant birth weights, premature birth, excessive bleeding, and fetal death due to the mother's physical trauma and emotional stress.
[5] Infant children who are present in the home where domestic violence occurs often fall victim to being "caught in the crossfire."
The trauma that children experience when they are exposed to domestic violence in the home, plays a major role in their development and physical well-being.
If their anxiety progresses to more physical symptoms, they may show signs of tiredness from lack of sleep and weight and nutritional changes from poor eating habits.
Some warning signs are bed-wetting, nightmares, distrust of adults, acting tough, having problems becoming attached to other people, and isolating themselves from their close friends and family.
Another behavioral response to domestic violence may be that the child may lie in order to avoid confrontation and excessive attention-getting.
[7] A source that supports the stated behavioral effects of domestic violence on children is a study that has been done by Albert Bandura (1977).
Researchers have studied, amongst perinatal and neonatal statistics, mothers who experience domestic violence had more than double the risk of child mortality.
[12] Grief, shame, and low self-esteem are common emotions that children exposed to domestic violence experience.
[19] Children exposed to domestic violence frequently do not have the foundation of safety and security that is normally provided by the family.
[4] Children exposed to domestic violence require a safe nurturing environment and the space and respect to progress at their own pace.
[citation needed] Children exposed to domestic violence at infancy often experience an inability to bond and form secure attachments, often resulting in intensified startled reactions and an inhibited sense of exploration and play.
Other common behaviors for a child being a victim of domestic violence are eating and sleeping difficulty, and concentration problems.
[22] Statistics show that a child who is exposed to violence between their parents or guardians is more likely to carry on violent behaviors in their own adult lives.
"Even when child witnesses do not suffer physical injury, the emotional consequences of viewing or hearing violent acts are severe and long-lasting.
Children who experience the "double whammy" effect can exhibit pathological fear, guilt, isolation, and low self-esteem.
Psychological outcomes in adulthood for these children can include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
[27] These outcomes have been documented as leading to behavioral problems that include school dropout, violence, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, eating disorders, and even suicide attempts.
