Understanding Domestic Violence ______________________________________________________________
Symptoms to watch out for in young children include (Ameri- can Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2023): • Anxiety or increased fear • Depression • Loss of interest in school, friends, or other things they enjoyed in the past • Sleep problems including nightmares or bedwetting • Increased aggression • Anger
safe (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2023). It is important to remember that the nonabusive parent needs support as well. There is no typical victim. Domestic violence can happen to anyone. Shame or embarrassment often gets in the way of victims getting help. If domestic violence happens once, it usually happens again. It is important to put a crisis plan in place, both for the care- giver and the child. A crisis plan should include a safe place to stay and friends or relatives who can help with childcare, transportation, and financial support (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2023). Despite the prevalence of childhood exposure to IPV, it’s crucial to acknowledge the inherent resilience of children, who have the capacity to overcome challenging experiences in their lives. One way children navigate through such difficulties is by receiving guidance, attention, and support from caring adults following exposure to IPV. While the sheer number of children exposed to IPV remains significant, there are available services for those in need, given the growing recognition of childhood exposure to IPV. It’s important to recognize that not all children exposed to IPV are affected in the same manner. For many, such exposure can be traumatic, eliciting reactions akin to those observed in children facing other forms of traumatic stressors. SYMPTOMS/CHARACTERISTICS PER AGE GROUP Table 1 shows a brief list of possible reactions or symptoms by age group (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, n.d.). It’s important to keep in mind that these symptoms may also arise from other sources of stress, trauma, or developmental challenges, and they should be evaluated within the context of the child and family’s overall functioning.
• Spending more time alone • Fighting at home or at school • Bullying or being bullied • Changes in appetite Symptoms to assess in adolescents include: • Drug or alcohol abuse • Skipping school • Changes in peer groups • New rebellious or oppositional behavior
• Declining grades • Social withdrawal • Depression or anxiety • Loss of interest in school, friends, or other things they enjoyed in the past Children and adolescents exposed to domestic violence should be evaluated by a trained mental health professional. There are effective treatments for the emotional and behavioral problems caused by domestic violence. Treatment can include individual, group, or family therapy, and in some cases, medication may also be helpful. It is critical for the child or children and vic- timized parent to receive treatment in a setting where they feel
POSSIBLE REACTIONS TO ABUSE
Birth to 5 Years
Ages 6–11 Years
Ages 12–18 Years
• Sleep and/or appetite disruptions • Separation anxiety • Inconsolable crying • Developmental regression and/or loss of acquired skills • Anxiety and/or new fears • Increased aggression • Impulsivity
• Nightmares and/or sleep disruptions • Aggression and difficulty with peer relationships in school • Difficulty with concentration and completing tasks in school • Withdrawal and/or emotional numbness • Social avoidance/isolation
• Antisocial behavior • Challenges with learning at school • Impulsive and risky behavior including: School truancy, substance abuse, running away,
involvement in violent or abusive dating relationships
• Mental health struggles
including depressive disorders, anxiety, panic
Table 1
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