Domestic Violence
Impact on children

Children raised in violent homes are also in danger. They are at high risk of abuse and for emotional damage that may affect them, as they grow older. Research has shown that children who witness domestic violence are more likely to grow into a perpetrator or victim of domestic violence than a child who was himself abused, thereby creating a “cycle of violence”. These children may also become direct victims of violence and abuse their own children.  

Children may experience any of the “symptoms” listed below:

•  Use of violence as an appropriate way of resolving conflict and assume violence in the home is the norm

•  Being at higher risk for abuse (outside of the home) in childhood/adolescence and continuation of abuse pattern in adult life

•  Blame themselves for their father's violent behaviour

•  Experience sleep disturbances (nightmares, insomnia) and eating problems (over or under eating)

•  Experience sadness, depression, stress disorders and psychosomatic complaints

•  Being at higher risk for substance abuse, running away, suicidal ideation

•  Have low self esteem and feel powerless in the home

•  Have poor social skills which lead to increased social isolation

•  Identify with rigid gender-roles, for example, girls may be withdrawn, passive., compliant and act as “mother's little helper” and boys may be aggressive

MORE REASONS WHY WE AT THE BRANT COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM BELIEVE THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A HEALTHCARE ISSUE