A child's first steps in this world generally take place in a safe environment surrounded by their family's love. Unfortunately, some children also experience a darker side, domestic violence, which stands as one of the most prevalent human rights challenges of our time. Despite its far-reaching impact and gravity, it persists as an issue that few nations, communities, and families openly confront, transcending geographical boundaries as a worldwide phenomenon.
While violence is particularly detrimental during a child's early years, its repercussions extend beyond, impacting the physical safety and emotional well-being of children throughout their developmental stages. On their journey to adulthood, children require a secure refuge, shielded from the specter of violence, under the care of loving and protective parents. They need stability and routine so that when the challenges of the outside world encroach, their home remains a sanctuary of solace, support, and aid.
However, the reality is that hundreds of millions of children worldwide are exposed to domestic violence, a trauma that leaves deep and lasting scars. Globally, there is limited data available, and some countries lack information on the number of children who may be exposed to such violence. Studies on this topic often acknowledge that their findings are limited by the lack of reports from both abusive parents and the children living in the home.
Likewise, it is estimated that approximately 275 million children worldwide are subject to domestic violence.
The impact of Domestic Violence on Children
There's no need to search far to find examples of this issue in children's lives. Many suffer in silence, lack support, and need trusted adults to turn to for help and comfort, as well as services to guide and assist them in overcoming their experiences.
Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to encounter a wide range of difficulties, the effects of which vary depending on their age and stage of development. They may experience additional emotional stress, which can impact their brain development, influencing their cognitive and sensory growth. Changes in their behavior can manifest as excessive irritability, sleep problems, emotional distress, fear of being alone, immature behavior, and difficulties with bladder control and language development.
As children exposed to violence grow, they may face more challenges in their school tasks, struggle to concentrate, and achieve satisfactory academic performance. Additionally, they may develop personality and behavioral problems, such as depression, suicidal tendencies, and enuresis. Some studies suggest that early exposure to domestic violence also negatively affects the development of social skills.
Some children lose the ability to empathize with others, while others feel socially isolated and have difficulty making friends due to social discomfort or confusion about what is acceptable. Several studies have indicated that children living in violent households exhibit more aggressive behavior and are up to three times more likely to be involved in fights.
Protecting children from violence is a crucial step toward building more peaceful and inclusive societies, and it requires both individual and collective action to address this global issue.
Additional Factors influencing the impact of Domestic Violence on Children
The nature of violence plays a crucial role, as children who witness severe and frequent forms of violence or do not observe their caregivers resolving conflicts peacefully may experience greater distress compared to those who witness fewer episodes of physical violence and maintain positive interactions with their caregivers.
The child's age also plays a significant role. Younger children tend to exhibit higher levels of emotional and psychological distress compared to older children. These age-related differences can be attributed to the more developed cognitive abilities of older children, enabling them to understand violence better and select strategies to cope with it and alleviate symptoms.
The time elapsed since the exposure is also relevant. Children often experience high levels of anxiety and fear immediately after a violent event, although fewer effects are observed as time passes after the incident.
Regarding gender, boys generally tend to display more externalized behaviors, such as aggression and misbehavior, while girls tend to exhibit more internalized behaviors, such as withdrawal and depression.
The presence of child physical or sexual abuse also has a significant impact. Children who witness domestic violence and are victims of physical or sexual abuse are at a higher risk of experiencing emotional and psychological maladjustment compared to those who do not witness violence and are not abused.
Can Children recover from Witnessing or experiencing Domestic Violence?
The recovery of children after witnessing or experiencing domestic violence varies from one individual to another. Some children are more resilient than others, and success in recovery depends on various factors, such as the presence of a strong support system or relationships with trusted adults, high self-esteem, and the presence of healthy friendships.
Although children may never forget what they saw or experienced during their childhood in a violent home, they can learn healthy ways to cope with their emotions and memories as they mature. The sooner a child receives help, the greater their chances of becoming mentally and physically healthy adults.
However, not all children exposed to domestic violence will experience negative effects. Some demonstrate remarkable resilience. Protective factors, such as social competence, intelligence, high self-esteem, and a supportive relationship with a non-abusive adult, especially a non-abusive parent, can help shield children from the adverse effects of exposure to domestic violence.
Strategies to Prevent Domestic Violence
Collaborating with State Coalitions against Domestic Violence and local domestic violence programs is essential to understand the dynamics of domestic violence, how abusive parents affect children, and how to support the physical and emotional safety of both children and non-abusive parents.
Raising awareness of the impact of domestic violence on children is a powerful tool for change. The message must be clear: domestic violence is harmful to everyone, especially the children who experience it, and it can be prevented. Customs that tolerate domestic violence and minimize its impact on children should be challenged. Adults working with children, including teachers, social workers, family members, and parents themselves, must have the necessary skills to recognize and meet the needs of children exposed to violence at home, as well as refer them to appropriate services. Establishing close and reliable relationships can also help children reduce the stress of living in a violent home. Children exposed to domestic violence must understand that they are not alone, and violence is not their fault, while also learning non-violent methods to resolve conflicts.
Furthermore, creating public policies and laws that protect children is essential. Governments have a responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of children and women in their homes. This involves a series of key measures, from interventions that support children exposed to domestic violence to school programs that promote positive attitudes and values, and a comprehensive set of skills to prevent violent behaviors. Public education and awareness campaigns on domestic violence should particularly focus on the impact on children and specific strategies to address this issue.
It is imperative that legislation and policies reinforce the message that domestic violence is a crime, and the offenders will be held accountable while the victims will be protected. These policies should prioritize the protection of children and address the impact of violence in the home. The criminalization of domestic violence sends a clear message that it is not a private matter and is unacceptable. It is crucial to enforce protection legislation and hold offenders accountable. Courts and government departments should have specialized policies to address the safety of adult victims of domestic violence and their children, especially concerning custody and visitation rights. Government protection policies should be accompanied by efforts to transform attitudes and traditions that perpetuate abuse. As long as domestic violence remains a silenced issue in homes, unfortunately, violence will persist.
