The Effects Of Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse

In comparison with the children who had never exposed or experienced DV, the children who had the exposure to DV are at a high risk of experiencing depression, anxiety and attachment disorders (Kimball, 2016). They have less empathy, lower verbal and also have difficulties with their motor skills (New Hampshire Coalition against Domestic Violence, n.d). Concurrently, with the exposure to domestic violence and getting abused, these children have the tendencies to express themselves through aggressive behaviors (Roberts et al., 2013). They often blame themselves for being powerless that they could not stop the violence (Turning Point Services (n.d). In fact, these mixed feelings and emotions may lead to a long lifetime trusting issue and difficulty relating to others.

A nationwide concern has become prevalent and caused a developed of concern for children who have been exposed to intimate partner violence or domestic violence (DV). A percentage of the likelihood that a child will be exposed to physical domestic violence in the United States in their lifetime has been at approximately sixteen percent (Finkelhor et al. 2015). A child’s exposure to domestic violence might be

(2008) did not examine if infants and toddlers exposed to domestic violence have similar outcomes as school aged children or adolescents. Infants and toddlers exposed to domestic violence may experience difficulties with attachment. Their caregiver may be overwhelmed and depressed as a result of experiencing domestic violence. The quality of parenting and the ability of parents to meet children’s needs may be compromised in households that experience domestic violence. Results of a meta-analysis conducted by Kitzamnn, et al. (2003) indicated that one to two thirds of abused women experience post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-estimate, depression, and anxiety. This may impact the infant or toddlers ability to experience emotions and form a secure attachment (Holt, et al.,2008). Bogat, DeJonghe & Levendosky (2006) found that 44% of infants exposed to domestic violence had at least one trauma symptom. This was found for infants whose mothers exhibit trauma symptoms, but not for infants exposed to less severe forms of domestic violence. Holt et al. (2008) found that toddlers exposed to domestic violence have more difficulties with separating from parents, which may indicate an unsecure attachment. Results of these studies indicate that children may experience the negative outcomes of witnessing domestic violence from infancy to

Domestic abuse and substance in a family can traumatize any children going through this outbreak. Spouses, parents, stepparents, children, siblings, elderly relatives, and intimate partners may all be targets of domestic/substance abuse. Domestic violence is the most risk factor impacting a child’s social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Violence, aggression, and substance abuse between members of the family have been continued patterns of family life. I want to see the outcome of how children interact, cope or deal with life after living in a domestic abuse or substance abuse situation.

The purpose of this study is to determine and illustrate the impact domestic violence has on children. Children who are exposed to domestic violence or have experienced it in some way are more likely to have psychological, emotional, and physical well-being issues as they get older if the violence is chronic. This study will showcase the long-term effects of multiple forms of violence against children, and behaviors exhibited after being exposed to domestic violence. There were 50 participants who are children in 7th and 8th grade ages 11 to 13 years old who were exposed to, witnessed, or were victims of domestic violence. Children were matched by their age and grade from community centers in the Bronx excluding children who have special needs.

According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2014), over 60% of insured adults in the U.S. had experienced childhood trauma, with 16% admitting to multiple types of abuse. This number can be even higher if the study sample included uninsured individuals, especially those who were in the high-risk, low socioeconomic status, and underrepresented population. Child abuse and neglect can cause both short-term and long-term effects, such as improper brain development, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional skills, lower language development, and high risk for chronic diseases, anxiety, and substance abuse (CDC, 2016). Given this information, the purpose of the study by Grabbe, Ball and Hall (2016) is to explore the severity of psychological trauma in women who were abused as a child (Grabbe, Ball, & Hall, 2016). The goal is to gain an understanding of what happened during the women’s childhood that may have prevented them from further abuse (Grabbe, et al., 2016). Consequently, using that information to conceptualize interventions for prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent abuse (Grabbe, et al., 2016).

Cummings continues to talk about the long term psychological effects that domestic violence can have adolescence. “They[researchers] were curious to learn more about what stresses might be most strongly correlated with the child's diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. They found two factors to be the strongest predictors: a history of sexual abuse and witnessing chronic domestic violence. In fact, exposure to domestic violence seemed to be more harmful overall” (Groves 189). This statement alone shows that exposure to domestic

In homes where violence occurs, children are at high risk of suffering psychological and emotional abuse, whether or not they are physically abused themselves. Recent evidence clearly shows that living in a family where a parent is being abused has a significant traumatic effect on children.

Holmes, when a child is exposed to domestic violence at an early age, that child adapts to these adverse circumstance and situations (Holmes, 2013). Therefore, children who are regularly exposed to domestic violence may initially display less aggressive behaviors than children who are never exposed. However, this is due to their fear of being a victim of a physical assault (Holmes, 2013). This finding was interesting because it shows how deeply the children are affected by exposure to domestic violence. The children become so afraid of potentially becoming victims of physical abuse that they will demonstrate good behavior inside the home. However, the effect of the exposure is fully revealed when these children are not in the presence of the abuser and cannot be potentially punished. These children have become accustomed to their violent home conditions and while children who were never exposed to domestic violence may progressively decrease their aggressive behavior over time, those who were exposed will escalate their aggressive behavior. This constant rise in aggressive behaviors will likely continue into their adolescent years and cause an influx of social problems (Holmes, 2013).

Parents are their children’s first role model in life, witnessing domestic violence as the victim or perpetrator can make a child believe that is the norm and have them believe what is happening is okay. It has been proven that men who witnessed their fathers abusing their mothers are at greater risk of abusing their wives when they get older. Studies have also shown that those who witness and experience abuse as children are more likely to be in abusive relationships when they get older as the abuser or the victim. Domestic violence around children does not only affect their childhood, it shapes who they become as a whole and often aids the kind of person they will become.

Statistics show that “1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime” (The National Domestic Violence Hotline). This could be your mother or your father. Your sister or your brother. The lady that lives three doors down from you. It could be your extended family, one of your classmates, even your best friend. Although one may not see it, abuse is everywhere, even places one may not expect it to be. Acknowledging the numbers of teens who have been abused is important, but to really understand it, one needs to know all of the information surrounding abuse to get a better picture of it and the long-term consequences that can come. There are many causes of abuse that result in lasting effects which can bring about the negative stigma of abuse in society.

In recent years, raising awareness has become a concern regarding domestic violence and its devastating effects. Domestic violence affects teenagers and adolescents just as much as any other age group. Domestic violence touches families from a range of cultures, education, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Teenagers are affected by violence more significantly now than in previous decades. Witnessing domestic violence can cause anger, depression, aggressive outbreaks and major stress. However, not only is witnessing it an issue, but teenagers are taking part in the violence itself. These violent behaviors have become a major roadblock in abuse prevention.

Abusive relationships can begin very early in someone’s life. Teens sometimes think some behaviors, like teasing are just a “normal” part of a relationship. However, these behaviors can be like a gateway to abuse, and soon become violent. “Violent behavior often begins between 6th and 12th grade.”("11 Facts About Teen Dating Violence") Many teens do not report being in an abusive relationship because they are afraid to tell friends and family. ("Teen Dating Violence") Also the teens who have been abused hesitate to find help, because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence ("11 Facts About Teen Dating Violence"). “In 2017 a CDC Report found that approximately 7% of women and 4% of men who ever

Has the thought ever occurred to why a child might always be anxious and on alert all the time? From a website called What is Domestic Violence?, it states that children the ages of 3 through 17 have the risk of witnessing domestic violence within their household every year. Because of the development of the brain, children tend to have a higher level of carrying any effects they gain from being a witness or victim of domestic violence. Whether someone is the victim of the abuse or one is a witness of the abuse, it affects each person who encounters it. However, what types of effects does domestic violence leave people with, especially children? Domestic violence can cause effects within a child’s life like suffering from psychological trauma, using violence as an escape, or even finding themselves in their own abusive relationship later in their lives.

Domestic violence has negative effects on the mother’s mental health, which reduces the mother’s capability to provide and support high-quality parenting, which may result in behavioral problems for children living in the household (Huang, Wang, & Warrener, 2010, p. 1318). According to Fujiwara, Okuyama, & Izumis (2011), the parents’ history of physical abuse during their childhood is one of the reasons for child maltreatment (p. 531). In other words, the abusing parents were also abused in their childhood. According to Sully (2008), domestic violence can affect the parents’ capacity to parent their children. Parents with a history of child abuse have found to have a poorer quality level of interaction with their children (Fujiwara, Okuyama, &