The impact of abuse on children and young people
Reports show that the majority of children know that domestic violence is occuring, that many children see or hear the abuse and that others get caught in the middle of abuse. This can include witnessing sexual abuse, being forced to take part in verbally abusing the abused parent or being hurt as they attempt to protect the victim.
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, sex 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 much younger than they are
- 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. They may have ambivalent feelings towards both the abuser and the non-abusing parent.
The effects on children can be enduring and can have a major impact on their current and future relationships.
IDAS do not believe that a child will become an abuser if they have been abused. However, some children do grow up to believe that violence in relationships is acceptable and will go on to form abusive relationships.
We do believe that children are more likely to recover from the negative effects of witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse if they receive appropriate and sensitive support.
If you are concerned about a child you should always discuss this with your local Social Care department.
Other agencies that can help are:
Across North Yorkshire
Advice, accommodation, support
03000 110 110
24hr National Helpline
0808 2000 247
