How does domestic violence change a child's life?

Whether or not the children are physically abused, they will always suffer emotional and mental trauma from living in a violent family.

  • Children raised in abusive homes may believe that violence is the way to resolve problems.
  • Children may have problems eating and sleeping due to stress. They end up suffering from lack of sleep and nutrition.
  • Children may slip back into more childish behaviors, such as thumb-sucking, nail-biting and bed-wetting.
  • The stress can cause them to do poorly in school and have problems getting along with other children.
  • Children are more likely to have stress related ailments such as: headaches, ulcers, stomach aches and rashes.
  • Children often have problems with depression, anxiety, fear and guilt that they carry into their adult life.
  • They may live in constant fear of injury to their parent or themselves.
  • They may have mixed feelings and feel guilty that they still love the abuser.
  • Teenagers may run away, be involved in juvenile crime or enter abusive relationships themselves.

Show All Answers

1. How much physical child abuse is associated with domestic violence?
2. How does domestic violence change a child's life?