Domestic Violence and Children | Beacon Center

Domestic Violence and Children

THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN

The following behaviors can often be seen in children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence.

INFANTS — AGE 3

physical problems (frequent colds, diarrhea)
excessive screaming and irritability
problems falling asleep
developmental delays (not gaining weight, not eating)
anxiety, sadness, crying, emotional withdrawal

AGES 3 — 7

delayed language development
regression to infant-like behavior such as thumb sucking
difficulty getting along with others
hostility and aggression
defiant and destructive behavior
clinging behavior
fear
self-blaming and feelings of guilt

AGES 7 — 13

low self-esteem
conflicted feelings about the abuser
increased aggression toward peers, siblings and parents
shame (denying the violence at home)
delinquent behavior (stealing, fighting, using drugs)

AGES 13 — 18

patterns of blaming others for his/her behavior, especially parents
high levels of anger and anxiety
inappropriate belief that violence can be a response to conflict
protective behavior toward the victim
violence against the victim
sense of responsibility for the care of younger siblings
running away
patterns of truancy
substance abuse problems
promiscuous behavior

ADDITIONAL EFFECTS — ALL AGE GROUPS

increased emotional needs
difficulty adjusting to school
school phobias (might fear leaving the victim alone)
somatic problems (asthma, peptic ulcers, chronic headaches, abdominal cramps)
eating disorders
patterns of increased deceptiveness (excessive lying, stealing, cheating)
inclination to mutilate or kill animals
inability to trust and develop relationships
low tolerance for frustration
self-destructive behavior, self-mutilation
memory of every detail of abuse
blames the victim for the abuse, pressures him/her to make things better
poor sexual image
low self-esteem
bed wetting