Children Who Witness Domestic Violence

YES - They know.   
They see, they hear and they feel.

Children who grow up in domestic violence homes are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the average child in general population.

Approximately 90% of the children are aware of the violence. 

More than half of all shelter residents are children. The majority of women using shelters bring their children for the sake of safety.

Children often hold themselves responsible for the violence and for their mothers' safety.

The majority of batterers were battered as children and/or witnessed domestic violence.

Many girls tend to learn a response of passivity like their mothers and many boys tend to identify with the aggressor and bully and/or inflict violence on their peers and siblings.

One hundred percent of children in violent homes hear screams, threats, bumps, or glass breaking; 100% see the after-effects of broken object, black eyes, or blood.

Child witnesses often feel ambivalence and conflict toward the perpetrator; the child both loves the person and hates his or her behavior.

The Effects on Children.

These incredible beautiful children learn to accept violence as a means of conflict resolution and to maintain control of others by using threats. They learn that loved ones have the right to hurt one another. Many feel angry toward one or both parents -the abuser for doing so and the woman for staying and accepting.

• -they have sleep disturbances such as bed-wetting problems
• -having difficulties in school, with work, or peers
• -often confuse love and violence
• -they are identified as "at risk"
• -poor or no self-esteem
• -have sense of complete powerlessness - low expectations of themselves
• -difficulty expressing themselves or look one in the eye
• -mixture of hope and despair
• -tend to use negative behaviors to get attention - tantrums
• -live in constant fear of being hurt, or tend to hurt themselves
• -are unable to communicate their feelings in a healthy way
• -learn poor problem solving skills and are unable to control their anger and impulses
• -tend to resort to force or violence when frustrated
• -have poor sense of personal boundaries
• -lack respect for others peoples' privacy and belongings
• -may exhibit post-traumatic stress disorders such as: avoidance, increased arousal, social withdrawal
• -demonstrate disruptive behaviors such as aggression or depression.

We at HealWithin can assist you and your loved ones with coping skills and overcoming most issues that are no longer expectable nor beneficial to your overall well being.