More than 15 million children in the United States live in homes in which domestic violence has happened at least once. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that in homes where violence between partners occurs, there is a 45% to 60% chance of co-occurring child abuse, a rate 15 times higher than the average. Even when they are not physically attacked, children witness 68% to 80% of domestic assaults. These numbers are a sobering reminder of the toll a violent environment takes on kids.The impact of growing up in a home with violence is significant. These children are at greater risk for repeating the cycle as adults by entering into abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves. Short term effects include anxiety, sleep problems, depression, difficulties concentrating, behavioral problems, and aggression. In adolescence, oppositional behavior, social issues, and substance abuse are common. Children who witness or are victims of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse are at higher risk for health problems as adults. These can include mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, as well as increased rates of substance abuse. They may also include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, poor self-esteem, and other problems. Understanding the impact of intimate partner violence on children is critical for educators, health care workers, law enforcement and justice professionals, and social workers.
23rd SEPTEMBER, 2021
