Effects of Domestic Violence On Children
The following behaviors can often be seen in children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence.
INFANTS – AGE 3
- physical problems (frequent colds, diarrhea)
- excessive screaming and irritability
- problems falling asleep
- developmental delays (not gaining weight, not eating)
- anxiety, sadness, crying, emotional withdrawal
AGES 3 – 7
- delayed language development
- regression to infant-like behavior such as thumb sucking
- difficulty getting along with others
- hostility and aggression
- defiant and destructive behavior
- clinging behavior
- fear
- self-blaming and feelings of guilt
AGES 7 – 13
- low self-esteem
- conflicted feelings about the abuser
- increased aggression toward peers, siblings and parents
- shame (denying the violence at home)
- delinquent behavior (stealing, fighting, using drugs)
AGES 13 – 18
- patterns of blaming others for his/her behavior, especially parents
- high levels of anger and anxiety
- inappropriate belief that violence can be a response to conflict
- protective behavior toward the victim
- violence against the victim
- sense of responsibility for the care of younger siblings
- running away
- patterns of truancy
- substance abuse problems
- promiscuous behavior
ADDITIONAL EFFECTS – ALL AGE GROUPS
- increased emotional needs
- difficulty adjusting to school
- school phobias (might fear leaving the victim alone)
- somatic problems (asthma, peptic ulcers, chronic headaches, abdominal cramps)
- eating disorders
- patterns of increased deceptiveness (excessive lying, stealing, cheating)
- inclination to mutilate or kill animals
- inability to trust and develop relationships
- low tolerance for frustration
- self-destructive behavior, self-mutilation
- memory of every detail of abuse
- blames the victim for the abuse, pressures him/her to make things better
- poor sexual image
- low self-esteem
- bed wetting