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Essay on Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Children are often "invisible" victims of domestic violence involving their parents. This article will discuss some cases of child witnesses revealed to Tracey Treinen, child advocate of a small, rural Minnesota battered women's program. The children share experiences of their family violence and talk about how that violence affects them. Tracey also describes how children's disclosure changes when their parent(s) express outrage at what, under most circumstances, would be considered a positive change of behavior. Through the vignettes and research cited, it is hoped that the reader will identify the unique role played by an advocacy program to provide education and resources that empower participants to make more productive life choices. In all cases it must be recognized, however, that if violence against women were ended, its impact on children would also end.
Domestic violence is an ongoing experience of physical, psychologic, and/or sexual abuse in the home that is used to establish power and control over another person. Although awareness about the rate of domestic violence in our society is increasing, the public health ramifications have only recently been recognized in the medical community. The majority of the medical literature to date has focused on the effect of domestic violence on the primary victim. What effect does witnessing domestic violence have on secondary victims, such as children who live in homes where partner abuse occurs? It is estimated that 3.2 million American children witness incidents of domestic violence annually. Witnessing domestic violence can lead children to develop an array of age-dependent negative effects.
Research in this area has focused on the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional effects of domestic violence. Children who witness violence in the home and children who are abused may display many similar psychologic effects. These children are at greater risk for internalized behaviors such as anxiety and depression, and for externalized behaviors such as fighting, bullying, lying, or cheating.......
