Impact on Children

It has been recognized that children are the silent and innocent victims in violent home environments. They experience acute and long term effects from the exposure to family violence. Whether the victims were physically or mentally battered, children are affected.

They are confused by the situation and often innocently blame the victim for the abuse because they do not fear the victim's retaliation. They fear the abusive parent but are in most cases still bonded to and feel torn between their parents.

Tragically, if exposed for a long period of time, they may go on to be second and third generation batterers or victims. They cycle of violence needs to be broken through community support and education.

A study conducted by Canadian researcher Peter Lehmann currently at the University of Texas suggests that more than one half of these children suffer from post traumatic disorder.

It is now believed that some children in the school system diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder and hyperactivity and placed on the drug Ritalin are actually kids with unresolved trauma as a result of their family environment. (1)

Psychologist Dr. Peter Jaffe a respected authority on domestic violence and director of the Family Court Clinic in London, Ontario discovered in one of his studies that one in four children believed it is okay to hit a woman if the house is messy. After they attended counselling none believed it. (1)

(1) Toronto Star - December 3, 2000

• Bedwetting
• Consistent stomach or headaches
•  Development of ulcers & rashes
•  Diarrhea
• Sleeping disorders (nightmares or insomnia)
• Eating disorders (over & under eating)
• Speech impediments (stuttering)
• Inability to concentrate at school or at home
• Temper tantrums
• GIRLS: withdrawn, passive, compliant
• BOYS: aggressive, bullying, self destructive

• Constant fear of impending danger
• Difficulty dealing with anger
• Denial of the violence
• Feelings of guilt and blame for the violence
• General sadness or depression
• No connection with their own feelings

• Fear for the safety of the battered parent

A child’s fear and anxiety due to the home environment and witnessing violence and verbal abuse leads children to fail in the school system, act out in class or aggressively against their abused parent, siblings, school teachers and playmates.

 Just Witnessing Family Violence Can Damage Children (1)

Infants May exhibit ‘failure to thrive’ symptoms such as slow or low weight gain, eating and sleeping disturbances and difficulties bonding with adults.

Children between 18 months and 6 years may experience eating and sleeping difficulties, mood swings, sadness and delay in language or social development.

Children 6 – 12 years frequently are anxious, depressed, fearful or socially isolated. They may exhibit short attention spans, easy distractibility, and aggressive behaviour often associated with Post Traumatic Stress disorder seen in other survivors of violence.

Both boys and girls older than 12 who have witnessed or been part of the violence may be associated with delinquency, drug and alcohol abuse, low academic achievements, unwanted pregnancies and become run-aways.

(1) Family Violence in America (International Association of Chief’s of Police 1997 IACP Summit

FACTS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The number of reported spousal assault offences in Toronto has increased steadily since 1990 (1)

Over the past 16 years, 550 women have been killed in Ontario by intimate partners. (The numbers have increased since the report) (2)

Research suggests that the likelihood that a girl will ultimately be involved in an abusive relationship herself and a boy will later be violent towards his spouse is almost 40% of children who witnessed family violence. (1)

(1) Violence Against Women Survey Stats Canada 1993

(2) Globe and Mail – February 1006

TYPES OF VIOLENT BEHAVIORS AGAINST CHILDREN

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Neglect
• Witnessing Violence

(See the following coroner’s inquest statement.)