How Violence Affects Children

Domestic Violence Hurts Children Too.

Children living in violent homes see and hear what is occurring. They fear for their own safety and security and worry about protecting their parents. They are ashamed and fear the unpredictability of violence. They also feel responsible for everything that happens to them, their parents, and their siblings.

Children who witness abuse between their parents, or are aware of abuse of siblings, are more likely to become involved in abusive relationships as adults.

The effects of domestic violence on children are devastating and long term. They include:

Ways you can help a child who has witnessed domestic violence include:

• Explain things in language that children can understand
• Tell them that the violence is not their fault
• Give them permission to talk about the violence
• Help make a safety plan which they can follow
• Find them someone outside the family with whom they can share their feelings
• Let them know that others have had similar experiences