Effects on Children

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Batterer’s Profile | Effects on Children | Testimony

In addition to physical, behavioral, psychological, and cognitive effects, children who have been exposed to domestic violence often learn destructive lessons about the use of violence and power in relationships. Children may learn that it is acceptable to exert control or relieve stress by using violence, or that violence is in some way linked to expressions of intimacy and affection. These lessons can have a powerful negative effect on children in social situations and relationships throughout childhood and in later life.

Short-Term and Long-Term effects of Domestic Violence on Children
  • Generalized anxiety
  • Sleeplessness
  • Nightmares
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • High activity levels
  • Increased aggression
  • Increased anxiety about being separated from a parent
  • Intense worry about their safety or the safety of a parent
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Physical health problems
  • Behavior problems in adolescence (e.g., juvenile delinquency, alcohol and substance abuse)
  • Emotional difficulties in adulthood (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD)