How does it affect your children?
If you are a father or step-father, give some thought to how the children living with you might be affected. Most people don't think that abuse affects their children. However, studies show that 90% of children are in the same or next room when abuse is happening.
Children living in families where abuse is happening often experience some or all of the following:
- Hearing the abuse,
- Seeing violence,
- Being woken by arguing,
- Getting hurt trying to intervene,
- Being brought into arguments,
- Being isolated from friends and other family,
- Being abused or hit themselves,
- Seeing their mother tired, scared or upset,
- Being neglected,
- Being terrified about what is happening,
- Having to keep secrets,
- Having to leave home and live in a refuge,
- Being bullied by other children,
- Having social services involved with them,
- Having to phone the police,
- Having to comfort their mum,
- Having to break contact with their dad.
Even if they’re not in the same room, most children will know something is happening. This can be devastating for a child and can have long-term effects including:
- Suffering injuries,
- Sleep deprivation,
- Stress and panic,
- Developing eating disorders,
- Being fearful and anxious,
- Low self-esteem,
- Being angry,
- Losing friends and becoming isolated,
- Modelling him / herself on violent behaviour - becoming a bully or in trouble with the police
- Missing school or doing poorly because of worry about what's happening at home,
- Depression,
- Taking drugs or using alcohol,
- Getting into harmful relationships.
Across North Yorkshire
Advice, accommodation, support
03000 110 110
24hr National Helpline
0808 2000 247
Worried you might be abusive?
"Even if they’re not in the same room, most children will know something is happening."
