Domestic violence is a crime and should be dealt with through criminal lawyers. It can take on many shapes, including constant arguing, verbal and physical abuse, assault, intimidation, threats, etc. But if you think it only affects people directly involved in it, meaning the spouses, then you’re wrong. Domestic violence has negative impacts on innocent bystanders too, in this case, I’m talking about children.
Statistics show that 50% of the abusers, be it mothers or fathers, also abuse their children. Moreover, 25% of the victims abuse their children as a way of coping with being abused.
Children who have grown up in an abusive household and witnessed domestic violence by one parent or both face numerous problems throughout their life. It makes them emotionally and socially dysfunctional. They are also more susceptible to behavioural issues too.
Children experience extreme Stress and Anxiety
Children who witness domestic violence go through a whole spectrum of negative emotions. Young children blame themselves for the situation and feel extreme guilt. They grow up with poor self-esteem and confidence. While young kids regress to infantile behaviours like clinging and bed-wetting, older kids withdraw themselves.
Due to extreme stress, anxiety and living in constant fear, they experience physical symptoms too. Headache, stomachache, nausea, cold sores, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome are common symptoms. In many cases, withdrawal from meeting the defendant can cause stress and anxiety among kids. That is when a divorce attorney of the defendant can connect with the other party and put forward their wishes. Under certain circumstances, the defendant can get permission to meet the alleged party. You can click here to know more.
They have difficulty forming emotional attachments
Because they’ve seen their home broken apart, children who have witnessed domestic violence face issues forming and maintaining relationships. They have trouble making friends at school, staying in a stable romantic relationship and maintaining a cordial relationship with colleagues at work. Any kind of attachment is hard for them. They go through life feeling utterly alone and unable to trust anyone.
They show poor academic performance
Children growing up in abusive households show poor academic performance. Constant stress, social anxiety, physical ailment and aggressive behaviour are primary factors for this. They are also more likely to drop out of school and less likely to pursue education again. Due to this, they also have difficulty getting a proper well-paying job. As a result, financial crisis follows them throughout their lives.
Teenagers use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism
As opposed to young children who become clingy and blame themselves for domestic violence, teenagers blame others and withdraw themselves from society. They either impossible self-isolation in themselves or hang out with the wrong crowd. They turn to drugs and alcohol to take the pain away or make them numb. Although substance abuse is a main coping mechanism, it is not the only one. Self -harm such as cutting oneself, burning or bruising oneself is another form of coping that can lead up to suicide. Early sexual activity and aggression towards peers and sometimes, even parents are also common in teenagers living in abusive homes.
They are more likely to become offenders or victims in their marriages too
According to research, children who have grown up in an abusive household and experienced domestic violence during childhood are more likely to exhibit the same behaviours in their marriages too. Males are more likely to become abusers while females are more likely to become victims. The divorce rate is also higher for adults with abusive childhood.
In conclusion, witnessing and experiencing domestic violence in any form leaves a deep scar on any child. The trauma haunts them for their life and creates numerous issues that are difficult to solve. It not only affects their psychological well-being but physical health too. So, if you are suffering from domestic violence or know someone who does, do not hesitate to reach out for help.