Many children exposed to domestic violence are also victims of physical abuse. Children who witness domestic violence or are victims of abuse have a serious risk of having mental health problems and long-term physical. The witness violence between their parents are also at greater risk of being violent in their future relationships. If you're a parent of a victim of abuse, it can be difficult to know how to protect your child.
Effects on children
Short-term
- Preschool-aged children: Young children who are witnesses of intimate partner violence can begin to do things that they used to do when they were younger, such as bed wetting, thumb sucking, crying more frequently and whimper. It is possible to develop sleep problems, show signs of terror, such as stuttering or hide, and show signs of severe anxiety of separation.
- School-age children: Children in this age range may feel guilty about the abuse and blame themselves. Domestic violence and abuse hurts the self-esteem of the children. You may not participate in school activities or to get bad grades, have fewer friends and getting into trouble more frequently. May also suffer from headaches and stomach.
- Adolescents: Adolescents who witness abuse may act in negative ways, such as fighting with the family, or skipping school. It is possible to engage in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex or taking drugs or alcohol. It is possible that you have low self-esteem and not be able to make friends easily. Possibly start fights or bullying others, and are more likely to get in trouble. This type of behavior is more common in boys teenagers who were victims of abuse in childhood on adolescent girls. Girls are more likely than boys to be excluded and experience depression.
Long-term
More than 15 million children in the united States live in households where domestic violence has occurred at least once. These children are at greater risk of repeating the cycle when they become adults and get involved in abusive relationships or become abusive. For example, a child who sees his mother being a victim of abuse is 10 times more likely to abuse their partner as an adult. A girl who grows up in a home where the father abusing the mother is six times more likely to be sexually abused a girl who grows up in a household is not abusive.
- Children who witness or are victims of emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse are at greater risk of developing health problems when they are adults. These may be mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They can also include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, low self-esteem and other problems.
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To view the original document: https://espanol.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence/effects-domestic-violence-children#1