Effects of Domestic Violence Upon Children
It is estimated that 12 to 15 million American women are battered per year. Nearly 20% of all murders are committed against family members. Between 40% to 70% of children entering battered women’s shelters are themselves victims of abuse or neglect. In a pilot survey of 46 school-aged children, 21 (46%) had evidence of academic problems, including grade repetition, failing grades, and need for special education services. 75% of 48 children had behavior problems. The recommendations for mental health staff include: ask about violence, be supportive, be alert to possible child abuse in families, monitor school progress, encourage women to seek support, share information about shelter, and support local programs (Wildin, Williamson & Wilson, 1991).

Children living with domestic violence in the home are often the forgotten victims. Current research indicates that domestic violence affects children in a variety of ways, and that the effects are both short-term and long-term (Jaffe, Wolfe, & Wilson, 1990).

In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are at high risk of suffering physical abuse themselves. Regardless of whether children are physically abused, the emotional effects of witnessing domestic violence are very similar to the psychological trauma associated with being a victim of child abuse. Each year, an estimated minimum of 3.3 million children witness domestic violence.

• Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the national average in the general population.
   
• Research results suggest that battering is the single most common factor among mothers of abused children.
   
• A major study of more than 900 children at battered women’s shelters found that nearly 70% of children were themselves victims of physical abuse or neglect. Nearly half of the children had been physically or sexually abused. Five percent had been hospitalized due to the abuse. However, only 20% had been identified and served by Child Protective Services prior to coming to the shelter. The same study found that the male batterer most often abused the children; in about ¼ of the cases both parents abused the children; and in a few instances only the mother abused the children.
   
• Lenore Walker’s 1984 study found that mothers were 8 times more likely to hurt their children when they were being battered than when they were safe from violence.
   
• Although child abuse and neglect are strongly linked to domestic violence, child protection organizations have historically paid little attention to the concurrence of the two problems. For example, in 1984 only 15 states participating in the American Humane Association’s National Study of Child Abuse and Neglect collected data on the mother’s abuse. In 1985, this number dropped to six states. Florida’s Department of Children & Families is changing this practice by encouraging cross training of both domestic violence and child abuse staff.
   
• Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may indirectly receive injuries. They may be hurt when household items are thrown or weapons are used. Infants may be injured if being held by their mother when the batterer strikes out.
   
• Older children may be hurt while trying to protect their mother.
   
• Children from violent homes have higher risks of alcohol/drug abuse and juvenile delinquency.
   
• Approximately 90% of children are aware of the violence directed toward their mother.
   
• Children are present in 41-55% of homes where police intervene in domestic violence calls.
   
• Some of the emotional effects of domestic violence on children include:
    - Taking responsibility for the abuse
    - Constant anxiety (that another beating will occur)
    - Guilt for not being able to stop the abuse or for loving the abuser
    - Fear of abandonment
   
• Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may experience cognitive or language problems, developmental delay, stress-related ailments (such as headaches, ulcers, or rashes), and hearing and speech problems.
   
• The majority of abused women who use shelter services bring their children. In one study, 72% of the women brought children to the shelter; 21% were accompanied by three or more children.
   
• Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys raised in non-violent homes. There is no evidence, however, that girls who witness their mothers’ abuse have higher risk of being battered as adults.