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Impacts of Witnessing Abuse
A child depends upon adults for physical survival, emotional warmth, and protection from external and internal threats. Abuse in a home creates an atmosphere of fear and pain, and puts a child's growth and emotional well-being at risk. When a woman is abused by her partner, children learn to equate love with pain, forced with problem solving and submission with peace keeping.
Abuse against a parent creates an environment that is tense, fearful and unhealthy.
According to results of the 1998/1999 NLSCY (National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth), 1 in 12 children (8%), aged 4 to 7 had witnessed violence at home - an estimated 120,000 children. (Statistics Canada, Supplement to Health Reports Vol. 14, 2003)
Many children who have witnessed abuse against their mother are impacted for life and the result is often a confused child who may suffer from a variety of behavioural and emotional problems.
When a child is exposed to his or her mother being abused by her partner, a child may learn that: d Violence is acceptable d Violence is a way to resolve conflict d Violence is an effective way to gain power and control over others d Violence is a normal part of a relationship
Emotional Difficulties d General fearfulness or constant fears of impending danger nightmares d Difficulties dealing with fear, anger and sadness d Feelings of guilt or helplessness d Inability to act for themselves. d Anxiety about separation and loss d Quick bonds with unfamiliar adults d Little ability to feel bad about other people d No connection to their own feelings
Physical Difficulties d Constant stomach aches, headaches, ulcers, rashes, diarrhea or bed wetting d Very high levels of stress d Delays or regression in development d Speech disorders
Social Difficulties d Identification with the aggressor; 'better to be big and bad than weak and terrified' d The feeling that it is unsafe, or impossible to act, be or respond like a child d A hard time solving problems with siblings and other children d Inability to concentrate which can lead to school failure d Low self esteem d Mixed feelings towards parents and a lack of trust in all adults d Withdrawal into books or television d Few friends; keeping peers at a distance in order to keep the family "secret"
The younger the child the greater the threat to healthy development. As the child grows older, years of witnessing domestic violence take their toll. Witnessing violence is stressful. Older children are at risk for such problems such as alcohol or drug abuse, physical conflict in their own relationships, anorexia, bulimia and even suicide. Other at risk behaviour may include; involvement with gangs, truancy or dropping out of school.
Effects related to development stage include: Infants: Fretful sleep, developmental slowness, lethargy, physical neglect, fearful reaction to a loud voice.
Toddlers: Frequent illness, severe shyness, low self esteem, hitting, biting, trouble in pre-school/daycare.
School Age Children: Frequent illness, hitting, stealing, lying, nightmares, eating problems, repetitive self harm, poor school grades, being "too: perfect, drug and/or alcohol abuse. The oldest child often becomes the family "caretaker"
Courtesy Education Wife Assault
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