Throughout the beginning of time, children have always been severely impacted by negative events in their life than males and females combined. They are in an early stage of development where they rely on their parents or parental guardians to guide them in life and to show them right from wrong. However, when a child is introduced or grows up in a home that is involved one way or another in some form of domestic violence, their overall demeanor changes.
Domestic violence is a serious offense that should never be taken lightly. According to the United States Department of justice, “We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person” (2015). Unfortunately a majority of the time, domestic violence goes unreported, especially if it involves children directly or indirectly due
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to the lack of knowledge on who to contact. In most cases, the children of the domestic abuser or the one being abused tend to take the brunt of the physical or emotional impacts due to the fact that they tend to be floating in the middle or become indirectly involved and used as a scapegoat to release anger. Camrit Katz, a university professor from Tel Aviv University in Israel (2015) states that “In the United States, 15.5 million children live in households in which domestic violence occurred at least once within the past year” and more shocking that “Some researchers have found that children in domestic-violence families witness the violence in 70–85% of the occurrences” (Katz, 2015). It’s an everlasting struggle to help the children that are accustomed to witnessing domestic violence and to provide them with the help they need to move onto a better life. By the time Child Protective Services arrives to assist upon the situation, the child has already been succumbed to short and long term physical and emotional effects. Although the long term effects play the biggest role in trying to help children overcome the pain of domestic violence, the short term affects are the pre-cursers that typically identify that the child is being physically abused or has been a victim emotionally from domestic abuse. Short term affects typically identify if a problem is occurring and can range from physical sign such as bruises and cuts to emotional effects like depression. Alytia A. Levendosky and Sandra A. Graham-Bermann from the University of Michigan (2001) gives their insight that “Negative life events have been shown in previous research to negatively affect psychological functioning, including depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD)”. A child’s mind is in the process of developing, and require the need of their parents to guide them to adulthood by implanting their knowledge of life’s lessons. However, if children fall prey to being part of a domestic violence case, it changes their perception on life and their way of thinking. Depression is a common diagnosis in children that are accustomed to seeing or experiencing domestic assault.
They tend to dilute themselves from society and confine their emotions and feelings to a small variety of people, otherwise they become completely isolated from society. They struggle to find happiness and lose focus on the brighter side of life. The main reason that the children form depression and PTSD cases is they “tend to feel powerless and tend to fear the abuser, knowing that they can’t do anything to help the parent in need and to stand up to the abuser” (2001, Levendosky & Graham- Berman). Depending upon the severity of the abuse, the symptoms of depression could potentially not be as profound as others. Children that are introduced to lesser quantities of abuse tend to be on the shy side of the spectrum. While in severe cases of abuse, depression can be so severe that suicidal thoughts may arise in the
individual. Although depression is a key emotional impact on children, aggression particularly coincides with depression. Children tend to lash out and demonstrate aggressive behavior for multiple reasons. They may be frustrated that they can’t help out their mother that is getting abused and fills with hatred and anger towards the father. Otherwise they see the aggression the abuser has against the one that is being abused, they might think that’s how they themselves should react to others. Aggression gives the children a sense of power because they potentially gain a sense of control that they lack in their household setting. Anger and aggression is also another way of how some children display sadness. Children’s emotional levels range drastically and no two are alike.
Thornton, Victoria. “Understanding the Emotional Impact of Domestic Violence on Young Children." Educational & Child Psychology, Mar2014, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p90-100, 11p, 3 Black and White Photographs, 1 Diagram; found on p95
There exists a vast amount of literature that suggests that there is a connection between intimate partner violence and maladaptive outcomes for children. Studies have shown that children who witness violence undermines the children’s sense of security. Intimate partner violence (IPV) proves to be distressing and deregulating for the children victims of intimate partner violence. Not only is witnessing violence distressing for children but is also been shown that it can interfere with the deal with stressors and learn age-appropriate skills. While there have been many studies to show the effects of IPV on the development of children, there have not been studies that show how IPV can affect children’s memory skills.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is historically referred to as domestic violence. It describes a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior that may include psychological abuse, progressive isolation, sexual assault, physical injury, stalking, intimidation, deprivation, and reproductive coercion among partners (The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), 1999). IPV leads to lifelong consequences such as lasting physical impairment, emotional trauma, chronic health problems, and even death. It is an issue effecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Eighty-five percent of domestic violence victims are women (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003). More than one in three women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2012). Thirty to sixty percent of perpetrators tend to also abuse children in the household (Edelson, 1999). Witnessing violence between parents or caretakers is considered the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next (Break the Cycle, 2006).
The phrase “domestic violence” typically refers to violence between adult intimate partners. It has been estimated that every year there are about 3.3 to 10 million children exposed to domestic violence in the confines of their own home (Moylan, Herrenkohl, Sousa et al. 2009). According to research conducted by John W. Fantuzzo and Wanda K. Mohr(1999): “[e]xposure to domestic violence can include watching or hearing the violent events, direct involvement (for example, trying to intervene or calling the police), or experiencing the aftermath (for example, seeing bruises or observing maternal depression)” (Fantuzzo & Mohr, 22). The effects of exposure can vary from direct effects such as behavioral and developmental issues to interpersonal relationships, all of which lead to detrimental prospects on the child’s development. This paper will explore those effects and how it affects children.
Today, children are likely to experience or witness violence in the home. With domestic violence being the most frequent type of violent crime, a child's homes is no longer a safe haven. Statistics show that domestic violence is the major cause of injuries to women; their husbands or lovers kill one third of all women murdered in United States. Unfortunately, a number of these cases occur in the presence of children.
Osofsky, J.D. (1995). Children who witness domestic violence: The invisible victims. Social Policy Report, IX(3), 1-19.
The question many ask of victims of domestic violence is why they stay in abusive relationships (Nitu, 2012). Leaving an abusive relationship is, most of the times, easier said than done. As Nitu (2012) notes, many women who are in abusive relationships have a true fear of further violence if they leave, attempt to leave, or seek help in dealing with an abusive relationship. These fears transcend their fears for their own personal safety and move onto their fears of abuse to their children, if any are present. As a society, we have the right to ask that question. As of 2003, domestic violence was costing the United States over 8 billion dollars, with over 1 billion of that cost being for fatalities due to domestic violence situations (Nitu, 2012). Furthermore, the risk for children who are present in abusive relationships rise as well. Not only will the chances of the children being abused rise, but the probability they themselves will become engaged in abusive relationships rise as well. When children are involved in domestic violence situations, implementation of intervention programs will teach them the consequences of domestic violence. The focus of any criminal justice society should be to support the abused in leaving abusive relationships. Stress should be put on the importance of the safety of any children involved, life is better outside of the abusive relationship, and the victim does not need to feel dependent on their abuser.
Throughout the course of one’s lifetime, there are countless events that shape the personality, actions and mentality of that individual. Some of these events will affect the individual in a positive way allowing great life opportunities, while other events will unfortunately affect the individual in a negative way which can lead to disorders. Among the various events that can affect a person, one of the most common occurrences that some children witness early on in their lives that deeply affect their long-term mental health is being a witness to domestic violence. Research and observations that were studied revealed that there are multiple factors that can contribute to a child witnessing domestic violence. The more categories that the child falls into, the more likely they are to develop mental health issues later on in their life (Meltzer, Doos, Vostanis, Ford, and Goodman, 2009). The research conducted by Meltzer et al. (2009), was used to study the factors that were intertwined with domestic violence, as well as to better understand the needs of children who have witnessed the violence at a young age.
When a child witnesses domestic abuse it can have many different effects on the child. From my research I found that one of the most common effects on the child were mental health problems. In one study, conducted in New Zealand, young people that reported high levels of exposure to inter-parental violence had elevated rates of mental health problems (Fergusson & Horwood, 1998, p.1). Some of the least severe mental health problems included anxiety, inability to focus, and nightmares (Brescoll & Graham-Bermann, 2000, p.2). But these problems, which appear to be less severe, can also be the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Brescoll & Graham-Bermann, 2000, p.2). In a study conducted in 2001 the results indicated that higher levels of symptoms indicative of post traumatic stress were associated with children who have witnessed domestic violence (Hill & Nabors & Reynolds & Wallace & Weist, 2001, p.1). ?Children who have witnessed domestic violence are more likely to develop symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; that is, high levels of an...
Children of family violence also have many interpersonal problems. They usually assume the victim role. Weak and unhealthy relationships are frequent in adults that grew up in violent homes. Children of family violence have trouble forming intimate relationships and have problems understanding others emotions. (Berry 105). "Each year, millions of children witness their mothers being emotionally abused, physically battered, even sexually assaulted by their fathers or other men in the home" (Berry 104).
NSW. (2002, September 24). Domestic Violence and it’s impact on Children’s Development. Retrieved from http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dv_paper.pdf
“Domestic violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm” (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). In most places, domestic violence is looked at as one of the higher priorities when trying to stop crime. Domestic violence cases are thought to be influenced by the use of alcohol, drugs, stress or anger, but in reality, they are just learned behaviors by the batterer. These habits can be stopped as long as one seeks help (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). For instance, a child is brought up in a household that is constantly involved in criminal acts.
Domestic violence is skyrocketing in our society. In the U.S., as many as 1.5 million women and 850,000 men were physically assaulted by their intimate partner last year, and numerous children abused by their parents. These sad criminal acts will continue to grow in our society, unless our community takes action to stop these crimes.
For decades, abuse and domestic violence have been the primary focus of numerous studies and foundational research in the United States. The ongoing increasing prevalence of this health issue is an alarming concern, proven to be a significant threat to women's health and well-being. Consequently, leading healthcare authorities, to the development of universal interventions, and state laws addressing this health issue that efficiently promote a national public health response. Victims of abuse and domestic violence, particularly women, are frequent users of health services, placing health providers in a unique position and in a highlighted role to address this social, economic and health problem, that have reached epidemic proportions. Across the country, screening and reporting domestic violence and abuse laws vary from one state to another.
Quite possibly the most heartbreaking type of domestic violence is the kind that children see. NCADV declares, “1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence. It’s crazy how many types of violence there