Effects on Children
In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are at high risk of suffering physical abuse themselves. The emotional effects of witnessing abuse in the home can contribute to psychological trauma also.
Following are some common effects of abuse on children:
- Shame, guilt and self blame
- Grief for family and personal losses
- Confusion due to conflicting feelings towards parents
- Fear of abandonment, of the unknown
- Anger
- Depression
- Embarrassment
- Lies to avoid confrontation, pretends everything is ok
- Excessive attention seeking, extreme behavior
- Bed wetting, nightmares
- Out of control behavior
- Manipulation, dependence, mood swings
- Isolation from friends and relatives
- Poor anger management and problem solving skills
- Excessive social involvement to avoid home life
- Nervous, anxious, short attention span
- Poor personal hygiene
- Self abuse
- Adolescent eating disorders, substance abuse, suicide, delinquency
- Frequently ill
- Acts out with peers, teachers, parents or siblings
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