How does domestic abuse affect your children?

Reports show that the majority of children living in a household where domestic violence is happening are aware to some degree of what’s happening. Many children see or hear the abuse and others can get caught in the middle of a violent situation or become victims themselves.

 

There are many factors that can have an impact on how children respond to witnessing or directly experiencing domestic violence. These include the child’s age, race, gender and stage of development.

 

We know both from research and from our work with children that the effects on them include:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Disturbed sleeping patterns, including nightmares and flashbacks
  • Physical symptoms such as stomach aches
  • Bed wetting
  • Temper tantrums
  • Regressing into behaviour expected of children of a younger age
  • Displaying aggressive behaviour or alternatively withdrawing from people and relationships
  • Low self confidence or self worth
  • Older children may also have problems with school or begin to engage in risk taking behaviours such as misusing substances, or self harming.

 

Children can also feel angry, guilty, insecure, alone, frightened, powerless or confused.

 

The effects on children can be long-lasting and can have a major impact on their current and future relationships.

 

If you are worried about the effects of domestic abuse on your children you can discuss this with one of our workers or get in touch with your local branch of the NSPCC.

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Experiencing domestic abuse?

"The effects on children can be long-lasting and can have a major impact on their current and future relationships."