When people hear about domestic abuse they think about physical violence. However, it does not necessarily have to be physical. It could be verbal or emotional or a combination of all of them. The results that it has on the partner that is being abused can be quite detrimental and can make them scared, confused, fearful and angry. However, domestic violence does not only damage the partner being abused, but it also effects any children living in the home. If the person that is being abused fears that something harmful might happen to them, then it is best to get away from the abusive partner and take the children with them.
If the individual chooses to accept this behavior and stays in the abusive relationship, the effects on the children are serious and can be life-threatening. Depending on the age of the children, the short term effects of domestic violence might vary. The following are some of the effects that domestic violence has on children:
1) Young adults may turn to drug dependency to mentally “escape” the situation.
2) They might experience stress-related illnesses such as migraines, stomach ulcers and insomnia.
3) They might show cruelty to animals as a way of having power over something.
4) They may feel ashamed or embarrassed and withdraw from friends and family.
5) They might have guilt and feel blame for the violence in the house.
6) An increase in regressing to old childhood habits such as bed wetting and thumb sucking.
7) Display destructive or aggressive behavior.
In the long-term, children growing up around domestic violence display the following behaviors:
1) As an adult they may turn to drugs and alcohol dependency in order to cope with the violent memories. They might do this so as to get away from the stress and depression that comes with seeing one of their parents being abused by the other.
2) Adult children might also develop emotional problems. This might include getting stressed or depressed and this might interfere with their mental development.
3) They might also succumb to anxiety.
4) The children might lose trust in adults. They may grow up to develop poor relationships with other adults due to the fear of being abused.
5) The children might not get their nutritional needs met because of parental neglect which will contribute to their overall health as they grow up.
6) Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to batter their spouses when they get into relationships.
7) Research, on the other hand shows that daughters who witness their mothers being battered in a relationship are more likely to stay in abusive relationships when they get into one.
8) The children can be harmed in the relationship especially if the abuser abuses both the children and the spouse.
Studies show that some of the long-term and short-term effects of domestic violence can be significantly reversed when there is intervention from police, social workers and educational programs. There are online training courses about domestic violence that can help abusers reform their behavior. Classes clearly explain to offenders how they are negatively affecting those around them. They teach how to better manage anger, how to develop empathy and what the risks are of continuing the abuse. Classes are available online at the click of a button and a certificate of completion is awarded at the end of the course if it is taken for a court mandate.
Tags:
domestic abuse| aggressive behavior| unlawful abuse| domestic violence and children
