Impact of Domestic Violence on Children

As many as 275 million children worldwide are exposed to violence in the home.

Source: UNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf

27.1 to 69 million children are exposed to domestic violence in India.

Source: UNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf

The sons of the most violent parents are 1000 times more likely to become wife

beaters.

Source : CHILDREN'S VULNERABILITY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE by Mohan Tiwary* & Rajiva Prasad**

Challenges and Risks faced by Children who witness DV.

Increased risk of children becoming victims of abuse

themselves.

Strong likelihood that this will become a continuing cycle of

violence for the next generation.

Significant risk of ever increasing harm to the child’s physical,

emotional and social development.

Challenges and Risks Source: UNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf

Childhood problems associated with exposure to domestic violence fall into three primary categories:

1) Behavioural, social, and emotional problems• Higher Levels Of Aggression, • Anger, • Hostility, • Oppositional Behaviour, And Disobedience;• Fear,

Childhood Problems Source: The Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Domestic violence and the child welfare system. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domesticviolcene.cfm

• Anxiety, • Withdrawal, And Depression; • Poor Peer, Sibling, And Social Relationships; • And Low Self-esteem.

Source: The Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Domestic violence and the child welfare system. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domesticviolcene.cfm

2) Cognitive and attitudinal problems. • Lower Cognitive Functioning, • Poor School Performance, • Lack Of Conflict Resolution Skills, • Limited Problem Solving Skills, • Pro-violence Attitudes, • Belief In Rigid Gender Stereotypes And Male

Privilege.

Source: The Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Domestic violence and the child welfare system. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domesticviolcene.cfm

3) Long-term problems.Higher levels of adult depression and trauma symptoms and increased tolerance for and use of violence in adult relationships.

Source: The Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Domestic violence and the child welfare system. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domesticviolcene.cfm

What children need ?

• Safe and secure environment.• Children need to know that there are adults

who will listen to them and shelter them.• Children need a sense of routine and

normalcy.• Children need support services to meet their

needs.

UNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf

What children need ?

• Children need to learn that domestic violence is wrong and learn non-violent methods of resolving conflicts.

• Children need adults to speak out and break the silence.

UNICEF. (2006). Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf

Our Strategy

In order to protect adult survivors and their children, we engage with :• Survivors and her family • Community • Civil Society organizations • Government machinery

Survivor and her family

• Building correct perspective on Domestic Violence

• Gender education programme for 8th and 9th grade children.

• Feminist Counseling (safety, well-being and rights)

• Legal counseling and legal aid• Motivational programmes for survivor women

(confidence, self esteem)

Community

• Enhancing awareness, sensitivity on Domestic Violence issue.

• Building correct perspective on Domestic Violence.

• Promoting community level groups for supporting survivors of domestic violence.

Civil Society Organizations

Training and accompaniment support to NGOs for working on domestic violence.

Government Machinery

• Advocacy at the state and national level for effective implementation of Domestic Violence Act

• Sensitization and training programs on gender and Domestic Violence Act for govt. lawyers, judges, police, protection officers and NGO service providers

Highlights of 2013

Promotion of Community Support Groups

• Community support groups of women - 211 villages

• Community support groups of men - 138 villages

Setting up of Counselling Centres

• 14 Counseling centres set up for providing counseling and legal counseling for survivors of domestic violence

Sensitization and Training of Service Providers

• 350 service providers - including lawyers, judges, health workers and protection officers

• 15 Community based Organizations from Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh sensitized on Gender based Violence and oriented on PWDV Act

• 45 Schools and 18 colleges

• 17000 students

• 5230 boys and girls showed changes in gender related attitude and behavior

Gender Education Programme

Domestic Violence Cases addressed…

1384

Write to us on info@aidforchange.org to sponsor a CSR project on domestic violence.