Jennifer Hanolt

English IV
Mrs. Wilson
13 November 2015
Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
A common misconception is that children are not truly victims because they often do not directly
experience the violence. However, domestic violence actually has detrimental effects on children
later in life because children from violent homes develop emotional and behavioral problems and
are also more likely to become victims or perpetrators in the future.

I.

Overview and general knowledge about domestic violence

II.

Myths

III.

Statistics about children and problems

IV.

Effects that parents have

V.

Problems occurring in different life stages

VI.

Children in shelters

VII.

Conclusion

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Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Around fifteen million children are estimated to be exposed to domestic violence yearly
(Callahan). A common misconception is that children are not truly victims because they often do
not directly experience the violence. However, domestic violence actually has detrimental effects
on children later in life because children from violent homes develop emotional and behavioral
problems and are also more likely to become victims or perpetrators in the future.
Domestic violence is a problem occurring in families that affects not only adults, but also
their children. Domestic violence is characterized by behaviors that physically harm, arouse
fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not
want (Abuse Defined). With this being said, children can definitely be victims of domestic
violence and it happens more frequently than one may think. Children are often fearful,
manipulated, and forced to behave in ways they may not want to. For those children that are
victims, domestic violence can become a lifelong problem (Callahan). What they experience in
childhood is more often than not carried with them throughout their lives.
People are subject to repetition of domestic violence throughout their lives if it is present
in childhood. Studies have shown that being a domestic violence victim as a child impacts
development, emotional regulation, and mental health (Callahan). The severity of the childrens
issues varies from child to child, but all can agree that family violence does have an impact.
Others that have done significant research on the subject say that the burden of domestic
violence will continue to be passed from one generation to the next (Callahan). If a child grows
up with parents who participate in domestic violence, they are more likely to live in violent
relationships, either as abusers or victims. This pattern continually repeats itself as families of
domestic violence expand.

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Parents are the primary way children learn about violence. Parents are the most valuable
tools for shaping children in their earliest years. Children develop attachments to relationships in
their first five years of life (Callahan). If children see violence in their parents relationship as a
way of conflict solving, it may become normal to them. Exposure to domestic violence before
the age of five directly predicted that the child would be involved in a violent relationship at the
age of twenty-three, while children that were exposed from ages six to eight were less likely to
be in an abusive relationship (Callahan). Parents are often unaware of how much their behavior
can affect their childs later in their life.
Parents can lose valuable parenting skills if they are involved in a violent relationship.
Those that are being abused may not be able to teach their children how to regulate their fear;
those that are abusing often have anger problems and are not able to teach their kids anger
management skills (Domestic Violence, Emotion Coaching, and Child Adjustment). Because
of this, children from abusive homes often act out in school and have other social problems.
They are also more prone to bully other children in school. Linda Esposito, a licensed social
worker, says that No one is born abusive, and all bullies start out as victims. Children do not
have the life experience or the intellectual and emotional capabilities to comprehend why dad
beats mom, or vice versa (Wallace). This further proves that children are sponges that soak up
the actions of their parents. What they witness as a child has tremendous effects on them both in
childhood and adulthood.
The behavior of the parents has tremendous effects on their children. Kids may lose
respect for the parent being abused because the abuser puts that parent down in front of the child
(Effects of Domestic Violence on Children). This teaches children that they can disrespect their
parent just as the other parent does, which can harm their future relationships, especially with

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other authority figures. Liz Roberts of Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Agency in New York
says, For boys, there may be identification with the abuser. They may come to believe thats
what masculinity looks like. (Wallace). Young boys are specifically susceptible to the actions of
their fathers. Boys often try to emulate their fathers and use them as role models, which is why it
is extremely important for men to not participate in domestic violence.
The age that a child experiences domestic violence at affects the consequences they will
receive. Infants develop poor sleeping habits, eating problems, and their need for attachment is
disrupted. Children at the preschool age often have separation and stranger anxiety, develop
insomnia and nightmares, and lack feelings of safety. Children that are school aged develop
regressive and aggressive behaviors, blame themselves and complain of physical ailments.
Domestic violences effects on adolescents include substance abuse, early sexual activity, and
continued absences from school. To minimize these effects, professionals are moving toward
educating parents on how to discipline properly and the negative results their arguments have on
their children (Stiles). Hopefully these steps will resonate with parents so that their children will
not be so harshly affected by their actions.
Large portions of child domestic violence victims solely witness domestic violence.
Witnessing is classified as seeing, hearing, observing the aftermath of, or being aware of violent
activity (Effects of Domestic Violence on Children). Children who witness domestic violence
are often forgotten, silent, and unintended victims. Boys and girls who witness often develop
depression, trauma related symptoms, low self-esteem, distress, and hindered social adjustment
(Edleson). Amanda Harris, who is a director of a child grief and trauma network in Australia,
says, We know that the impact of witnessing domestic violence on young kids can be just as
serious as the impact of actual physical violence (Belot). Just because a child has not personally

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experienced physical violence themselves, evidence suggests that it still has an effect on the
mentally and socially.
The children who do witness domestic violence in their homes often experience terrible
consequences. A study done in 1990 found that boys that witnessed spousal abuse on a regular
basis were more likely to be violent than non-witnesses. This is seen through a common
psychological theory, called the social learning theory, which states that individuals learn through
the actions of others (Edleson). Whether or not a child will be involved in juvenile delinquency is
sometimes correlated with domestic violence in the home. Findings show that boys who were
incarcerated for violent crimes that also experience domestic violence in childhood believed that
acting aggressively enhances ones reputation or self image (Edleson). The witnessing of
domestic violence is also the top reason why children decide to run away from their homes
(Effects of Domestic Violence on Children). Consequences of witnessing domestic violence as
a child stretch beyond childhood.
Although they may seem like a good thing, shelters are not always helpful to children.
Child residents in shelters had lower verbal and quantitative skills compared to those children
who were not. These children also had behavior associated with immaturity and inadequacy.
Shelter residence children are often very stressed and sometimes have bad mental health. This
can stem from the trauma they experience themselves, or it can be from seemingly smaller
issues. A lot of the time children in shelters have been removed from surroundings that they
deem as safe. This can include their neighborhoods, schools, or even just the comfort of their
own beds (Edleson). The shelters are beneficial, but the shelter environment can also harm some
children. Many children do not adapt properly to shelter life and are therefore hurt even further
in the recovery process.

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It is clear that domestic violence does in fact have an effect on the millions of children
who experience it, either as witnesses or as victims themselves. It is directly correlated to mental
health issues both in childhood and adulthood. Although these children are sometimes forgotten
or ignored, more is being done to help their wellbeing. With the right support and attention, the
future of those children affected looks brighter.

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Works Cited
"Abuse Defined." The National Domestic Violence Hotline. The National Domestic Violence
Hotline, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
Belot, Henry. "Domestic Violence Leaving Children Traumatised with Mental Health Problems."
Canberra Times. Fairfax Media, 8 Apr. 2015. Web. 15 Oct. 2015.
Callahan, Alice. "Domestic Violence: An Unwanted Family Legacy." Domestic Violence: An
Unwanted Family Legacy. The Urban Child Institute, 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
"Domestic Violence, Emotion Coaching, and Child Adjustment." American Psychological
Association. American Psychological Association, 2006. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
Edleson, Jeffrey L. "Children's Witnessing of Adult Domestic Violence." Journal of
Interpersonal Violence 14.8 (1999): 839-70. Print.
"Effects of Domestic Violence on Children." Effects of Domestic Violence on Children. SudburyWayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable, 2008. Web. 15 Oct. 2015.
Stiles, Melissa M. "Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children." Medicine and
Society: Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children. American Academy of
Family Physicians, 1 Dec. 2002. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
Wallace, Kelly. "Children: The Silent Victims of Domestic Violence." CNN. Cable News
Network, 10 Sept. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.