What About The Children?. Children Living with Domestic Violence May not outwardly exhibit cues of...

What About The Children?

Children Living with Domestic Violence

May not outwardly exhibit cues of witnessed violence.

May never discuss the violence nor act-out behaviors.

Child may not only witness violence - also a victim.

Some children will exhibit cues or “red flag” behaviors.

Children Living With Domestic Violence

Children live in 50% of homes where police

intervene in domestic violence calls.

More than 50% of juveniles charged with murder -

killed in attempt to protect their mother.

Abuse or neglect increases risk of arrest

• as a juvenile by 53%

• as an adult by 38%

• violent crime by 38%.

Impact on ChildrenWhen battering occurs

Children often witness the abuse

Traumatized by it

Receive injuries

Become violent themselves

Impact on Children

Boys often become adult perpetrators.

High co-occurrence of DV and child abuse.

Batterers use children to control victims.

Impact on Children

Low birth weight Digestive problems No appetite Irritability Sadness Anxiety

Effects of Witnessing Domestic Violence Ages 0-2:

Sleeping problems Startles easily Cries excessively Screams excessively Failure to thrive

Lack of bowel control Lack of bladder control Stomach aches Fear Anxiety Guilt Separation anxiety Lack self-confidence Self-centered Acts out Mimics abuser (very aggressive) Verbally abusive

Withdrawn Clingy, whining Tries not to be noticed Problems making/keeping friends Regressive behavior Poor verbal skill Doesn’t talk Poor cognitive skill Poor motor skill Poor impulse control Fears new things and people Defiant

Impact on ChildrenEffects of Witnessing Domestic Violence Ages 2-6:

Bedwetting Stomach aches Ulcers Headaches Insomnia Eating disorders Low self-esteem Ambivalence toward abuser Denial & secrecy Fear & anger Guilt-cant protect mom love abuser Self-blame Nightmares Learning disabilities

Ashamed & embarrassed Aggressive-bully Violent-toward peers, sibs, animals Lies & steals Self-abusive Mimic same-sex parent Withdrawn/clingy Deny violence in home Doesn’t invite friends home Poor grades School phobia Poor impulse control Poor peer relationships Few or no friends

Impact on ChildrenEffects of Witnessing Domestic Violence Ages 7-12:

Bedwetting Stomach aches Ulcers Headaches Sever acne Eating disorders Low self-esteem Loneliness & isolation Extreme anger Anxious & fearful Withdrawn Uncommunicative, especially

about feelings Indifferent, absolutely no emotion Immaturity Poor impulse control

Few friends Blames others, especially parents Extremely violent Criminal activity Self-destructive-substance abuse

promiscuity, self-mutilationsuicidal, delinquency, risk-taking

Take on parent/caretaker role Run away or stay away from home Extremely protective/abusive to

Mom Uses violence to solve problems Violence in dating Poor school performance Refuses to bring friends home Truancy Drop out

Impact on ChildrenEffects of Witnessing Domestic Violence Ages 13-18:

Behavioral “Red Flags” in Children

Aggressive

Passive/Withdrawn

Manipulative

Rebellious/Acts Out

Psychological Cues

Health Problems

Acknowledgements

Resources provided by:- Mark Wynn, Wynn Consulting – www.markwynn.com

- Lydia Walker, Domestic Violence Trainer/Consultant,

LydiaWalker@cox-internet.com

- 4th Judicial Circuit FVCC Law Enforcement Committee

- OVW Rural Grant Committee, 4th Judicial Circuit- Illinois Department of Public Health,

http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/dv.htm - National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,

http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf - Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Manual for

Mandated Reporters – September 2006

○ “ The original project was supported by Grant # 2008-WR-AX-0016, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, though the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Points of view, opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, or the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.”