Children Exposed to Marital Violence
Recent research in the field of domestic violence has increasingly recognized the detrimental impact to children who are exposed to violence in their homes. For too long, it was assumed that children were not affected by violence between their parents. Now it is widely recognized that children are affected whether they hear a violent episode, observe it, or see their mother with injuries after the violence.

Additionally, research indicates that there is a high probability that domestic violence batterers will also abuse children in the home. Some studies suggest that up to 40% of batterers also abuse children in the home.

Different theories have been developed by researchers to explain how domestic violence impacts children. Four primary theories are detailed below:

Social Learning Theory - This theory maintains that children learn to be violent themselves or to accept violence directed toward them by observing violence in their homes. Additionally, based upon the tenets of this model, children may come to know violence as an acceptable means of expressing anger, reacting to stressful events, or solving problems.

Family Disruption (Stress) Hypothesis - This theory suggests that behavioral symptoms in children exposed to violence are due to events indirectly the result of violence, such as police coming to the home, staying at a shelter, school disruption, etc.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - This theory suggests that exposure to traumatic events, like domestic violence, can cause a number of stress reactions that affect the well- being of children. The emotional reactions of children exposed to domestic violence, such as fear, shame, guilt, and physical symptoms, are illustrative of these stress reactions.

Attachment Theory (Emotional Insecurity) - This theory maintains that domestic violence in the home interferes with the parents’ ability to effectively bond or attach with the child or children. This inability to attach appropriately may be experienced by the child as poor parental involvement or inadequate emotional availability.