Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsShort-Term Effects of Witnessing Domestic Violence as a ChildLong-Term ConsequencesProtecting Children from Domestic Abuse

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Table of Contents

Short-Term Effects of Witnessing Domestic Violence as a Child

Long-Term Consequences

Protecting Children from Domestic Abuse

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Forvictims of domestic violence—the physical attacks, emotional maltreatment, and other abuse endured are certain to take a toll on well-being.

However, while the horrors of abuse are apparent in primary victims—children who witness the abuse of their mothers, fathers, or other family members, are impacted.

This article will look into the lasting psychological and physical effects of a child’s exposure todomestic violence. To reduce the risk of these effects, it is also important to highlight ways that children can be protected from harm’s way.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

In 2010, 1 in 15 children were exposed to cases of intimate partner violence, with a worrying 1 in 3 children also experiencing acts of violence.

The effects of domestic abuse on children may be apparent within a short period of time, while other damages may be noticed in the long run. Some of the immediate effects that children experience after witnessing domestic violence are discussed below.

Anxiety

For pre-schoolers who witness this, it isn’t uncommon to revert to the habits of younger children. Thumb sucking,bedwetting, increased crying, and whining may result from observing abuse.

School-aged children can develop anti-social traits and may struggle with guilt over the abuse witnessed. These children typically take on the blame for the abuse their parent deals with, a belief that can strongly bruise theirself-esteem.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

One of the most devastating effects of domestic violence is its ability to causepost-traumatic stress disorderin children that are raised around it.

Despite being spared from physical abuse, thetraumaof domestic violence is enough to cause dangerous changes in the developing brains of children. These changes may causenightmares,changes in sleep patterns, anger, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and children may sometimes have the ability to re-enact aspects of the traumatizing abuse observed.

Physical Challenges

Mental health strains are a common result of witnessing the abuse of a parent. However, these consequences may sometimes be apparent in their physical well-being.

School-aged children may report headaches and stomach pains which are traceable to the tense situation back home. In infants, there is a higher risk of experiencing physical injury following the constant stream of abuse on a parent.

Aggressive Behavior

When teenagers witness domestic abuse, they tend to act out in reaction to the situation . They may fight, skip school, engage in risky sexual activities, or dabble in drugs and alcohol. These teenagers are also very likely to get in trouble with the law.

Physical Abuse

In many instances, children that live in abusive households are also likely to fall victim to this treatment themselves.

An abusive partner can very easily become an abusive parent or guardian—physically, verbally, and emotionally harming their children.

Long-Term Effects of Witnessing Domestic Violence as a Child

Children that grew up watching a parent experience abuse are likely to deal with effects that last well into adulthood. Some of the long-term effects that children experience after witnessing domestic violence are addressed below.

Depression

The anxious child raised in a toxic, abusive environment may grow to become adepressed adult. The trauma of routinely witnessing domestic violence places children at a high risk of developing depression, sadness, concentration issues, and other symptoms of depression into adulthood.

Health Problems

A poor diet or environmental risks may not always be the primary causes of conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes in adulthood.

In some cases, these illnesses have direct links to the physical, emotional, and verbal abuse a child witnesses or is subjected to.

Repeating Abusive Patterns

While abusive behavior can be repetitive, it’s important to note that abuse does not always occur in a cyclical pattern. In fact, assuming that violence occurs in cycles can lead to victim-blaming. Abuse can be unpredictable and is it never OK.

Feeling the pain and anguish of witnessing violence doesn’t always guarantee that children will toe a different path. In some cases, early exposure to abuse simply sets the stage for children to walk that same line in adulthood.

Knowing that domestic violence can have lasting effects on the physical, mental, and later life of children—it’s important to properly shield them from abuse. The following are ways to protect a child from domestic abuse.

Make Safety a Priority

One of the best ways to protect the interest and well-being of a child is for victims to receive the necessary support they need to leave the abusive environment.

By doing this, children are spared further exposure to violence and are given a chance to grow up within healthier structures.

Teach Children Healthy Relationship Dynamics

With a skewed view about romantic dynamics, talking to children about healthier interactions between partners can help to manage the damage caused after witnessing domestic violence.

Children should be taught healthy ways to resolve disputes in friendships. It’s important that they learn wholesome ways that partners can relate with each other, taking care to share why violence has no place in relationships.

Educating Children About Boundaries

An effective way to manage the damage, and prevent a cycle of domestic violence is to teach children healthy boundaries.

Teaching children aboutautonomy(that no one has a right to touch their bodies or vice-versa) is a step in the right direction. Children should also be taught to always tell a trusted adult if another person is making them uncomfortable in any way.

A Word From Verywell

Domestic violence has the potential to leave lasting marks on direct and indirect victims. With psychological challenges like anxiety and depression likely to develop from domestic violence—receiving appropriate carefrom amental health professionalcan help to manage these effects in children. Therapy can also help with navigating the emotional strain and trauma of living in a toxic environment.

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7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Domestic Violence and Children.Office on Women’s Health.Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Health.Tsavoussis A, Stawicki SP, Stoicea N, Papadimos TJ.Child-witnessed domestic violence and its adverse effects on brain development: a call for societal self-examination and awareness.Front Public Health. 2014;2:178. Published 2014 Oct 10. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00178Stiles MM.Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children.Am Fam Physician. 2002;66(11):2052-2067.Moylan CA, Herrenkohl TI, Sousa C, Tajima EA, Herrenkohl RC, Russo MJ.The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems.J Fam Violence. 2010;25(1):53-63. doi:10.1007/s10896-009-9269-9Monnat SM, Chandler RF.Long Term Physical Health Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences.Sociol Q. 2015;56(4):723-752. doi:10.1111/tsq.12107Office on Women’s Health.Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Health.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Domestic Violence and Children.Office on Women’s Health.Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Health.Tsavoussis A, Stawicki SP, Stoicea N, Papadimos TJ.Child-witnessed domestic violence and its adverse effects on brain development: a call for societal self-examination and awareness.Front Public Health. 2014;2:178. Published 2014 Oct 10. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00178Stiles MM.Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children.Am Fam Physician. 2002;66(11):2052-2067.Moylan CA, Herrenkohl TI, Sousa C, Tajima EA, Herrenkohl RC, Russo MJ.The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems.J Fam Violence. 2010;25(1):53-63. doi:10.1007/s10896-009-9269-9Monnat SM, Chandler RF.Long Term Physical Health Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences.Sociol Q. 2015;56(4):723-752. doi:10.1111/tsq.12107Office on Women’s Health.Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Health.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Domestic Violence and Children.Office on Women’s Health.Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Health.Tsavoussis A, Stawicki SP, Stoicea N, Papadimos TJ.Child-witnessed domestic violence and its adverse effects on brain development: a call for societal self-examination and awareness.Front Public Health. 2014;2:178. Published 2014 Oct 10. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00178Stiles MM.Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children.Am Fam Physician. 2002;66(11):2052-2067.Moylan CA, Herrenkohl TI, Sousa C, Tajima EA, Herrenkohl RC, Russo MJ.The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems.J Fam Violence. 2010;25(1):53-63. doi:10.1007/s10896-009-9269-9Monnat SM, Chandler RF.Long Term Physical Health Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences.Sociol Q. 2015;56(4):723-752. doi:10.1111/tsq.12107Office on Women’s Health.Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Health.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Domestic Violence and Children.

Office on Women’s Health.Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Health.

Tsavoussis A, Stawicki SP, Stoicea N, Papadimos TJ.Child-witnessed domestic violence and its adverse effects on brain development: a call for societal self-examination and awareness.Front Public Health. 2014;2:178. Published 2014 Oct 10. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00178

Stiles MM.Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children.Am Fam Physician. 2002;66(11):2052-2067.

Moylan CA, Herrenkohl TI, Sousa C, Tajima EA, Herrenkohl RC, Russo MJ.The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems.J Fam Violence. 2010;25(1):53-63. doi:10.1007/s10896-009-9269-9

Monnat SM, Chandler RF.Long Term Physical Health Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences.Sociol Q. 2015;56(4):723-752. doi:10.1111/tsq.12107

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