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 7-11 By: 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. Statistics 10 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 partner 44% of the women killed had children In 19 of the cases, one or more children witnessed the death of their mother 6 children were murdered as well 108 children lost one or both parents (Texas Council on Family Violence, 2010). 4

5. Children are exposed to domestic violence by: Directly witnessing the abuse Suffering harm incidental to the abuse Being forced to watch or participate in the abuse of the victim Being used as a spy Being 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 neglected Losing their home and living in a shelter Being directly abused Losing one or both of their parents Death (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 problems Eating and sleeping patterns are disrupted Nightmares Gastrointestinal problems Bed-wetting Memory problems 8

9. Biological Development Nervousness Depression Anxiety Stress Panic 9

10. Biological Development Shame Easily Irritated Substance abuse Inability to regulate emotions Underdeveloped cortex 10

11. The Effects of Domestic Violence on Cognitive Development Poor concentration and focus Low academic achievement Poor adaptation to learning environment Poor language skills Lack conflict resolution skills 11

12. Cognitive Development Overreact to non-threatening triggers Difficulty with tasks requiring higher-order thinking skills Create rationalizations to justify abuse Dissociate from situation Focused on survival 12

13. Cognitive Development Worry excessively Confused Thoughts of inadequacy Lie to cover up the abuse Learn distorted gender roles 13

14. The Effects of Domestic Violence on Social Development Isolated from others Uncomfortable in social situations Unable to trust others Lack peer relationships Protect siblings 14

15. Social Development Disobedient Low self-esteem Hostile towards others Oppositional behavior Take on parent responsibilities 15

16. Social Development Eager to please others Bully others Become victims of bullying Industrious vs. inferior Compare themselves to others 16

17. The Effects of Domestic Violence on Emotional Development Negative self-concept Unworthy Constantly afraid Feel insecure Feel unloved 17

18. Emotional Development Jealous of others Become more aware of their own reactions to violence Feel anxious Concerned for their mother Frustrated 18

19. Emotional Development Helpless Guilty Responsible Vengeful Resigned 19

20. Unhealthy lessons children may learn from violence against their mothers Violence and threats get you what you want A person has two choices- to be the aggressor or be the victim When people hurt others, they do not get in trouble People who love you can also hurt you Unhealthy, 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 environment Listen to them, believe them, shelter them Provide a routine Provide support services to meet their individual needs Teach them that domestic violence is wrong Teach them non-violent methods of resolving conflicts (UNICEF, 2006). 24

25. Children Suffering in Silence The 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. References Baker, 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_0NU Stop Violence Against Women. (2006). Effects of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.stopvaw.org/ effects_of_domestic_violence_on_children.html Texas 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.pdf The Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Domestic violence and the child welfare system. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domesticviolcene.cfm UNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf 26