IMPACT OF BATTERING Child Witnesses to Battering

Children living in families where domestic violence occurs may be exposed to partner violence & abuse in a number of ways. 1.Direct Witnesses to Abuse—considered ________________________ ________________________________ b/c can be harmed psychologically & emotionally. 1.May have lives disrupted by ___________________________________ ________________________________________.

Child Witnesses to Battering 3. May be used by batterer to manipulate or gain control over victim. 4. May suffer harm incidental to the abuse. 6. They themselves are ___________________________________________.

Child Witnesses to Battering  Children that witness abuse in the home are affected by what they see.  There are several forms of abuse that a child may witness; verbal, emotional, physical, or mental.  Each has a negative impact on the child witnessing the abuse.  Effects can be long term.

Children Used by Batterers Children sometimes _____________________________________________ on their victims, becoming a ____________________________________.  Batterer may threaten to take custody of/kidnap children if victim reports the abuse; may also threaten to harm or kill the children.  Batterer often insults/demeans his victim’s parenting. May tell her she will lose custody if she seeks help/tries to get a divorce because she "allowed" abuse to happen.

Children Used by Batterers  May even harm the children in order to control their mother.  During & after separation, batterers continue to use these tactics. ________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ even when no longer living with them.

Correlation b/t Child Abuse & Domestic Abuse  Research shows there is _______________________________________ ____________________________________--b/t 45-70% of children who are exposed to domestic violence are also victims of abuse.  Children may be _______________________________________________ through incidents of domestic violence-- hit by items thrown-- & older children may be hurt trying to protect their mother.  The more severe the abuse against the mother, the more likely a child is to attempt to intervene in an incident.

Overall Effects on Child Witnesses Child witnesses, on average, are :  More aggressive & fearful.  Suffer from ________________________________________________ & other trauma-related symptoms.  Often ________________________________________________________ & may feel guilty because they think they caused it or because they are unable to stop it.

Overall Effects on Child Witnesses Child witnesses, on average, are :  Live w/ _____________________________________ that another beating will occur or they will be abandoned.  Feel __________________________________________________________ or getting mad at victim.  May _____________________________________________________, experience cognitive problems or stress-related ailments (headaches, rashes), & have ___________________________________.

Effects by Age: Infants Infants:  The child's needs for attachment may be disrupted.  More than 50% of these infants ________________________________ _________________________________________. Infants are also at a significantly increased risk for physical injury.

Effects by Age: Preschool-Aged Children Preschool-Aged Children:  ___________________________________________________ such as headaches & abdominal pain.  Regressive behaviors-- thumb sucking, & sleep disturbances.  Parental protection & stability are often disrupted in families with partner abuse.  Show _____________________________________________- -yelling, irritability, hiding, & stuttering.  Increased _________________________________________________ & behaviors such as whining, crying, and clinging may occur.  Nighttime problems—insomnia.

Effects by Age: School-Aged Children School-Aged Children:  Psychosomatic complaints, such as headaches or abdominal pain  Poor school performance  __________________________________________________________ _ or participate in outside activities.  Witnessing partner abuse can undermine their sense of self-esteem & their confidence in the future.  More likely to experience ______________________________________ about the abuse, & they tend to blame themselves.

Effects by Age: Adolescents Adolescent Witnesses:  Higher rates of interpersonal problems with other family members, especially inter-parental (parent-child) conflict.  More likely to have a fatalistic view of the future resulting in an __________________________________________________________ & ________________________________________________, such as school truancy, early sexual activity, substance abuse, & delinquency.

Effects by Age: Summary AgePotential effects InfantsNeeds for attachment disrupted Poor sleeping habits Eating problems Higher risk of physical injury Preschool childrenLack feelings of safety Separation/stranger anxiety Regressive behaviors Insomnia/parasomnias School-aged childrenSelf-blame Somatic complaints Aggressive behaviors Regressive behaviors AdolescentsSchool truancy Delinquency Substance abuse Early sexual activity

Resilience Many children who witness domestic violence do not have adverse cognitive, behavioral, & emotional effects. Several variables may lessen the effects of witnessing violence. These variables include:  _________________________________ gender  _________________________________________________  Higher levels of _____________________________________________  Social support for the children

Overall Effects on Child Witnesses The effects of witnessing domestic violence appear to diminish with time, as long as the violence ends or they are no longer exposed to it, but the impact can continue through adulthood. As Adults, Child Witnesses May Continue to Suffer From:  __________________________________________________________ _____, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.  Research indicates that ________________________________________ ________________________________________________as adults & abuse their own children.