Domestic Violence and its Effects on Children

The topic of domestic children and children has always been the subject of discussions for years on end. As an observer, one will always wonder if any one really grasps the intense nature of how domestic violence affects children. Domestic violence is defined as the abuse of people, property or pets within a home set up, either physically or psychologically. The abuse can also be sexual in nature. In most homes, children can be observers as such violence is meted to other members of the family, or worse still, they can be victims of the abuse. Either way, a child will always be affected when such violence occurs in the only other place where they are supposed to get love and family security.

Studies into domestic violence and children show that exposure to abuse at an early age leaves the children feeling vulnerable, helpless or horrified. Often, physical abuse which includes hitting, chocking, slapping, pushing, physical torture through twisting the victims body parts can make a child adopt such behavior later in life, or accept the same as normal thus becoming a perpetrator of the same.

A different trend observed in domestic violence and children take the form of psychological abuse. Here, the child either observes or is a victim of derogatory statements, threats, isolation, emotional abuse and economic threats. Still, this places them at an increased risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of the same later in life. Sexual abuse on the other hand, involves exposing a child to inappropriate sexual activity. This ranges from explicit sexual material, forced nudity, vaginal penetration or stimulation, anal or oral sex. Here the child is forced into compliance either through physical force, threats or coercion.

Domestic violence and children analysts state that children who grow up in an environment where domestic violence is rife are 15 times more likely to encounter neglect above the national average of child neglect. In 1995 alone for example, 1,200 children nationwide reportedly died due to maltreatment in homes. Girls are at an increased risk of domestic violence than boys with statistics indicating that at least 20 percent of all girls are victims or observers of domestic violence, while 10 percent of boys suffer the same fate.

Domestic violence and children reports indicate that children suffer far-reaching effects ranging from behavioral, emotional to cognitive consequences, which are related to violence in their homes. Traumatic stress is one of the direct consequences that produce unpredictable and uncontrollable behavior in children and teenagers. Other consequences of domestic abuse in children include dropping out of school, substance abuse, delinquency and difficulties forming or sustaining relationships. Most children, who suffer such, need extraordinary coping strategies later in life.