A child who sees a parent or other family members abused is more likely to see violence as a way to solve problems and eventually be more likely to abuse others. Whether or not the child witnessed the abuse or the abuse is not openly discussed. A child can detect if tension, anger or violence is in the home. Regardless of how much effort is made to shield a child by taking the violence to a private area and keeping it secret, when a mother is being battered the child becomes a victim as well. (Domestic Violence)
The difference between the child and the adult victim is that the adult is least to some degree, a fully developed individual and can take care of her own basic survival needs. She has the tools available to her to for the purpose of trying to make sense of difficult experiences and is capable of asking for help and support. (Who Witness Domestic Violence)
A child, by definition is a person who is dependent on the adult and the environment for physical survival and food, shelter clothing etc. Also for the emotional stability. This includes emotional warmth and nurturing as well as to be protected from internal and external threats to a child’s sense of safety, self-esteem and security. (Witnessing Domestic Violence)
A home as well as a parent (when functional) provides a child with a safe place in which to experience and integrate the many complex emotions that a child must go through as a part of developing into a healthy human being. A child is yet still developing a sense of self of their own beliefs and goodness and goodness of others, which is a fragile state. When the adult provides a surrounding that is full of violence, fear and pain a child’s growth and emotional well-being is put in danger. (Domestic Violence)
Some children develop a barrier to protect them from becoming violent or make themselves less vulnerable to the effects of violence by isolating themselves and withdrawing from others. A number of other concerns and behaviors have been observed in the children of battered women who go to shelters. The following are:
- General fearlessness
- Hyper vigilance
- Nightmares
- Troubled responses to fear, anger and sadness
- Anxieties around separation and loss
- Forms attachments quickly to unfamiliar adults
- Confusion regarding parental loyalties
- Ambivalence about fathers
- Feelings of powerlessness
- Exaggerated sense of guilt and feeling of responsibility for parent or younger siblings.
- Difficulty concentrating and resolving conflict
(Witnessing Domestic Violence)
A lot of these conditions begin to occur when women begin to settle in shelters. Only then when the child is feeling a sense of safety will he or she begin to open up and let the trauma begin to heal. (Witnessing Domestic Violence)
While domestic violence is often associated with adults it also has an impact on adolescents. Adolescence is a time for developing a self-identity and achieving independence. But when impeded by domestic violence adolescents are at risk of academic failure, school drop out, delinquency and substance abuse. (Long Term Effects)
In addition, teens face the same issues as younger children in an abusive family, mostly feeling lonely and isolated, growing up to fast, behavioral problems. Other problems include mental and medical problems. (Long Term Effects)
In adulthood possible problems faced are alcohol and drug abuse; depression; low self-esteem; violent practice in the home; criminal behavior; sexual problems. (Long Term Effects) Most of the issues mentioned can be treated with appropriate therapy and support.
Domestic violence is a state and national crisis. Women are victims of domestic violence much more than men. According to the Department of Justice 2001 more than half a million women were victims of nonfatal violence committed by intimate partners.
Community agencies as well as the government need to continue to develop programs that integrate program that address the needs of the children in cases of domestic violence. The programs should develop innovative strategies aimed at stopping the maltreatment of children, domestic violence, youth violence, reducing violence in homes as well as on the streets and other aspects of society that domestic violence impedes upon.
Bibliography
Domestic Violence-Its Affect on Children. Retrieved July
20, 2005 From corner.org/articles/dv_itsaffectonchildren.htm
Gosselin,Denise K; Heavy Hands;2005Pearson
Education,Inc.,Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Long Term Effects. Retrieved July 20, 2005 From
http:www.breakthepatern.orguk/domestic_violence_long_term.htm
Who Witness Domestic Violence. Retrieved July 20, 2005 from
Witnessing Domestic Violence. Retrieved July 22, 2005
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