Exposed Children
Bruises Will Heal, But Scars Will Last a Lifetime
More than
15 Million
children witness domestic violence each year in the United States*
75-87%
of children who live in homes where there is domestic violence have observed the violence at least once.**
Over 1/3
of children in one study reported seeing violence used by fathers against mothers when a parent reported that no violence occurred.**
40-60%
of families who present with partner violence also report child abuse.**
*Journal of Family Psychology
**Child Witness to Violence Project
GOH serves both mother and their children who are exposed to domestic violence. While many of the children have exhibited aggressive behaviors, social withdrawal and compromising interpersonal relationship, GOH counselors seek integrated interventions, such as parent-child sessions, individual counseling and resource referral, to help these young souls get healed and become resilient again.
What is Exposed Children?
Children do not have to be eyewitnesses of the violence at home to be considered exposed children. They may overhear the abuse, or notice the injuries on the aftermath in the home. They are sensitive to the pain, the fear and the lack of security their battered parent may feel. The exposure negatively influences their health and development in different ways. They may display the following symptoms:
- Physical symptoms: fatigue, headaches, stomachaches, low immunity, difficulty in focus, anorexia or binge eating, unable to remain clean and tidy.
- Emotional symptoms: feels humiliated or guilty, or blames oneself for the violent incident. The child may develop fear of strangers, panic, self-blame, silence, crying, attacking others and destroying items etc.
- Behavioral symptoms: regressive behavior may appear, such as soiling the bed, sucking fingers etc. The child may try too hard to perform well or please others, attack others, destroy items, exhibit self-destructive behaviors, etc.
- Long-term effects: children may have developmental delays or use violence to solve problems or vent emotions. They may also have low self-esteem, poor social skills, and poor interpersonal relationships.
What Can You Do to Help Your Child?
- As parent, you should take your child(ren) away from the violent environment and protect their safety.
- Before the child becomes an adult, you have the right to file a petition for an Order of Protection for him/her.
- When your child displays symptoms of deviant emotions or behaviors, you can seek professional assistance to help your child recover from trauma, for example, child behavioral health clinics and counseling.
- For teachers and adults that are part of exposed children’s everyday life: you can become a stabilizing force to them. When children are in the midst of the huge storm stirred up by their family, most of their time will be spent at school, besides at home. Every teacher can provide appropriate support, care and assistance, and become the child’s anchor in this storm.
