Domestic Violence Research Paper

There are millions of examples of children who not only witness intimate partner violence (IPV) but also has been victimized. ( Christoff, Murrell & Henning, 2007) Children exposed to these kinds of violent behavior at such a young age also show signs of these behaviors, many violent, as adults. Evidence shows that witnessing violent behavior as a child correlates to patterns of abuse into adulthood as well. (Murrell et al., 2007) Over the years there has been a growing recognition that young people who witness IPV is has much of the same impact as a child victimized of abuse. This often damages their long term social and emotional well-being. Having a safe place outside of the home along with a supportive

People are exposed to violence on a daily basis, whether it is through media, personal relationships, or simply observed during daily activities. The few types of violence that are most prominent in today’s society are physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and domestic violence. Domestic violence is one of the most problematic and dangerous forms of violence that exist due to the detrimental effects it has on the individuals directly involved, children who witness these acts of violence, and society as a whole. Both men and women can be victims of domestic abuse, however, Safe Horizon states that, “1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime” (Safe Horizon). Everyone who experiences or witnesses domestic abuse are affected in detrimental ways. The abusers often have anger problems or lack of impulse control which only progresses. The victims become physically and emotionally scarred and the children who fall witness to parental domestic violence develop issues with emotional and behavioral functioning as well as social competence. More often than not, domestic violence is a learned behavior by children in abusive homes. Research conducted by The American Medical Association estimates that over 3.3 million children observe spousal abuse every year (Bennett, 1995). Because of this, children will believe this behavior is ‘okay’ and may even

Children who experience domestic violence may have higher rates of externalizing behaviors, internalizing behaviors, and lower academic performance when compared to their same age peers not exposed to domestic violence (Kitzamnn et al., 2003; Evans et al., 2008; Holt et al., 2008; Bogat et al., 2006; Levendosky et al.,1998). A meta-analysis conducted by Kitzmann et al. (2003) found a significant effect size for children exposed to domestic violence and poor child outcomes. Kitzmann et al (2003) findings indicate that 63% of children who witness domestic violence had more externalizing and internalizing problems than children not exposed to domestic violence. A meta-analysis of 61 studies examining the rates of externalizing and internalizing behaviors of children who were exposed to domestic violence found medium effect size for internalizing behaviors and exposure to domestic violence. A medium effect size was also found for externalizing behaviors and exposure to domestic violence (Evans, et al., 2008). An association was also found between exposure to domestic violence and trauma symptoms in children (Evans, et al.,

Domestic violence is a dilemma that affects every family member, including the children. Two previous studies have shown that child abuse, domestic violence, and both in combination increase a child’s risk for internalizing and externalizing negative behavioral outcomes and that the belief that some children may have that they are capable of controlling a domestic violence situation may actually trigger them into adopting traumatic behavioral symptoms. The goal of this study is to focus on children in New York and determine the specific ways that they are mentally and behaviorally affected by exposure to domestic violence by measuring the amount of times that they have acted out violently. This study will juxtapose those who are greatly

The biggest victims of domestic violence are the littlest. The home is a suppose to be a safe and secure environment for children with loving parents and free from violence. Children need a secure environment where they can come home to when the outside world is unsafe. However, every year there are millions of children who’s homes are not a safe haven. Millions of children are exposed to a parent being violently assaulted. Domestic violence is a prevalent social issue in America today. First, who is affected by domestic violence. Second, the impact of domestic violence on children. Third, the social harm of domestic violence is illustrated. This paper argues that domestic violence has tremendous effects on children.

Domestic violence is an intimidating relationship, physical assault, sexual assault, or other abusive behavior to gain control or power by one partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, mental abuse, and emotional abuse. The consistency of domestic violence can vary alot; however, the one constant characteristic of domestic violence is one partner’s persistent efforts to keep control over the other partner, “All cultures religious and ethnic background are impacted” ( www.clicktoempower.org ). Domestic violence is not bias it can happen to anyone.

Family violence is a widespread problem that affects many more children than disasters, medical conditions, or accidents. Children who are exposed to family violence are linked to various problems that impeded the development process. By being exposed to violence early, traumatize children often suffer from psychological, physiological, and cognitive effect. Some children may develop a distorted logic that their parent’s actions are “normal” and it’s their fault for the trauma they have experienced. As a result, it makes it difficult for them to overcome the overwhelming feelings of pain, danger, and hopelessness. Uncared for by others, the physiological effects changes the structure of the child’s brain. This increases the aggression,

Edleson (1999) describes adult-to-adult domestic violence as a wide range of events, such as the child directly viewing the violence, hearing it, being used as a tool of the perpetrator, and experiencing the aftermath of violence. For example, a perpetrator hitting or threatening a child while in his or her mother’s arms, taking the child hostage to force the mother’s return to the home, using a child as a physical weapon against the victim, forcing the child to watch assaults against the mother or to participate in the abuse, and using the child as a spy or interrogating him or her about the mother’s activities (pg. 4). As a result of the high prevalence of domestic violence and the increased likelihood that children will be exposed to

A stigma is forming among society that domestic violence only impacts those that are directly involved in the relationship. One needs to redirect his/her thinking to the perspective of the entire “family,” whether it be mixed, bi-racial, large, or small. Domestic violence has the impeccable capability to affect the emotional well-being and health of a child. Adolescents who are not fully matured to comprehend a situation of this magnitude, often become filled with emotions that they also do not understand. One of which possibilities that are played out for children in domestic violence situations would be when children take the life they are presented with and learn to use it as a form of motivation to aid in the betterment of their lives. Situations have also been known to morph into a completely opposite direction when children become overwhelmed, feel no hope of escaping, and their motivation plummets. Society needs to become fully aware of the effects of domestic violence on children because of these scenarios and many others that can be orchestrated.

Millions of children witness the abuse of women by their intimate partners physically. Abusive behaviors are a problem in families, not seen only through the eyes of adults but, their children as well which terms them as indirect victims. Individuals who are exposed to domestic violence as children often display the behavior issues which include violent aggressive behavior as adults (Gorman 2010). Domestic violence is defined within the field of criminology as a pattern of abuse. Domestic violence consists of acts committed in the context of adult intimate relationship. Aggressive Behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner against to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner, including physical abuse, emotional abuse and psychological abuse are wrong. (Gordis, Margolin , and John 2007) Such violence is perpetrated as intentional torts against men and women every day. All violence is unacceptable, and harmful to the victims of the actual crime and the witness. These actions also threaten the security and well-being of children within the family. (Learning network, 2012). Young males exposed to violence have lasting physical, mental, and emotional harm. Violence has a way to be introduced to all children; we define violence as destructive physical aggression intentionally directed at harming other persons or things. ( Bartol 2005 ). Humans become violent by acquiring aggressive models and actions from society. ( Bartol, 2005 p. 241) Becoming

Research reveals that thousands of women are suffering from exploitation by their husbands each year, and regrettably, the children who witness the horrid violence are left in emotional turmoil. Children who witness domestic violence are at an enormous risk for having adverse consequences associated with psychological, emotional, and behavioral problems. Children who witness domestic violence are victims themselves and growing up amidst violence predisposes them to a multitude of social and physical problems. Constant exposure to violence and abusive role models teaches children that violence is a normal way of life and places them at risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers.

Domestic violence, is a virulent calamity that has woven its way into our society for thousands of years. It is not biased to a particular race, group, or culture. Grievously, it has an everlasting negative impact on its victims. Although; adult victims suffer a great amount of pain and anguish, research has shown that children who witness domestic violence undergo neurological, biological, emotional, physical, and social repercussions. According to The Consequences of Witnessing Family Violence on Children and Implications for Family Counselor’s article, there is “a rough estimate of 17.8 million children who are witnesses of

Domestic Violence has been a major contributor to the development of aggressive behavior in adolescents. When children are exposed to violence, it destroys the societal image of a lovable upbringing. It important to note that not only is the child observing the violence-taking place but the consequence of the person’s actions. They see how their peers react to these types of situations and learn what they believe to be right from wrong. Researchers have found that domestic violent relationships can have a correlation with parent-child relationships in nearly 40% of families (Slep & O'Leary, 2005). Considering unmanaged anger seems to be a common indicator in both types of relationships. Many have found that factors such as stress can have an effect on the parent's reaction to their child's behavior. Since children learn from observing the actions of their peers, a child can start demonstrating the same aggressive behaviors witnessed in their homes. Domestic violent relationships are not the only factor that plays a role in

The risk factors associated with witnessing marital conflict and violence take a toll on children transforming a nurturing home into a place of apprehension, teaching unacceptable behaviors,

Children’s exposure to violence typically refers to children who witness or are victimized by violence. This would include physical assault, peer victimization, sexual victimization, child abuse and maltreatment. It is a challenge for children who become victims of domestic violence in their own homes. They witness or even experience the violence coming from their own family members. Once the children goes through the ruthless experience, some of them carry it along with them as they grow up. These children have a negative advantage to grow up with behavior disorders. Children from violent homes continue to suffer the consequences as adults, where they are more likely to commit suicide, abuse drugs or alcohol, be unemployed, or commit violence against their own partners (Ohio Domestic Violence). Then those type of behaviors continue on the cycle of the domestic violence. It is also difficult for children to know how to behave because of the behavior the parents show that has no relation to violence. Depending on the behavior of the parent, the child can piggyback on the behavior and results into a relation to violence whether the behavior had to do with violence or not. Parenthood is said to be the most important and demanding task in adult life. It can be especially challenging when the child has a difficult temperament, for example, gathering of instinctive characteristics which provide parents and other caretakers with problems of management (Hart, Louise (l987). It is