The Home Office defines domestic violence as ' Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, fiancial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.' Nearly a quater of adults in England are victims of domestic violence. Although both men and women can be victimised in this way, a greater proportion of women experience all forms of domestic violence, and are more likely to be seriously injured by their partner, ex- partner or lover.
Domestic violence affects both adults and children within the family. 200,000 children in England live in households where there is a known risk of domestic violence. Prolonged and/ or regular exposure to domestic violence can have a serious impact on children's safety and welfare, despite the best efforts of parents to protect them.
Domestic violence rarely exists in isolation. Many parents also misuse drugs or alcohol, experience poor physical and mental ill health and have a history of poor childhood experiences themselves. The co- morbidity of issues compounds the difficulties parents experience in meeting the needs of their children, and increases the likelihood that the child will experience abuse and/ or neglect.
Domestic violence has an impact on children in a number of ways. Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene. Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent. Children's exposure to parental conflict, even where violence is not present, can lead to serious anxiety and distress which may express itself in anti- social or criminal behaviour. Although seperating from a violent partner should result in women and children being safe from harm, the danger does not automatically end. It should however be recognised that the point of leaving an abusive relationship is the time of highest risk for a victim. Contact arrangements can be used by violent men not only to continue their controlling, manipulative and violent behaviour but also as a way of establishing the whereabouts of the victim(s).
Domestic violence also affects children because it impacts on parenting capacity. A parent (in most cases, the mother) may have difficulty looking after the children when domestic violence results in injuries, or in extreme cases death. The impact on parenting, however, is often more subtle. Exposure to psychological and emotional abuse has profound negative effects on women's mental health resulting in a loss of confidence, depression, depression, feelings of degradation, problems with sleep, isolation, and increased use of medication and alcohol. These are all factors that can restrict the mother's capacity to meet the developmental needs of her child. Moreover, belittling and insulting a mother in front of her children undermines not only her respect for herself, but also the authority she needs to parent confidently. A mother's relationship with her children may also be affected because, in attempts to avoid further outbursts of violence, she prioritises her partner's needs over those of her children.
The impact of domestic violence on children increases when directly abused, witnessing the abuse of a parent, or colluding (willingly or otherwise) in the concealment of assults. Other relevant factors include the chronicity and degree of violence, and its co-existance with other issues such as substance misuse. No age group is particularly protected from or damaged by the impact of domestic violence. Children's ability to cope with parental adversity is related to their age, gender and individual personality. However, regardless of age, support from sibblings, wider family, friends, school and community can act as protective factors. Key to the safety of women and children subjected to violence and the threat of violence is an alternative, safe and supportive residence.
An exploration of the possible impact on the unborn child shows the foetus is at risk of injury because violence towards women increases both in severity and frequency during pregnancy, and often involves punches or kicks directed at the womens abdomen. Such assults can result in a greater rate of miscarriage, still or premature birth, foetal brain injury and fractures. Domestic violence is also associated with women's irregular or late attendance for ante-natal care. Poor attendance may be the result of low self-esteem and depression or due to an abusive partner controlling and restricting women's use of medical services. Once born, the baby continues to be at risk of injury. For example, the infant may be in his or her mother's arms when an assult occurs. A young child's health and development may also be compromised when violence results in the mother having difficulty in concentrating, becoming depressed, or self medicating. When domestic violence undermines the mother's capacity to provide her infant with a sense of saftey and security it can impact on the attachement process. Finally domestic violence may influence a young child's social relationships, increasing their outbursts of anger, peer aggression and other behaviour problems.
Children in middle childhood, who live with domestic violence, continue to be at risk of being physically injured. Injuries may occur when the child is caught in the cross-fire or when trying to intervene to protect their mother. There is also evidence to link domestic violence with elated levels of child sexual abuse. Witnessing domestic violence affects children's emotions and behaviour and can lead to temper tantrums and aggression which are directed at family and peers, and cruelty towards animals. Exposure to domestic violence is also associated with children being more anxious, sad, worried, fearful and withdrawn, than children who are not exposed. Some children cope with the stress and fear of violence by seeking to escape. During middle childhood this may be through fantasy and make believeor by withdrawing into themselves, or seeking a place of saftey. Experiencing domestic violence and seeing parents unable to control themselves or their circumstances may result in feelings of helplessness and confusion. Children may blame themselves for their parents violence and feel inadequate and guilty when unable to stop the violet episode or prevent its reoccurrence.
Adolescents exposed to domestic violence may live in constant fear of violent arguments, being threatened, or actual physical violence being directed at a parent (usually th mother) or themselves. The likelihood of being physically injured continues. Furthermore, in a recent survey of 13 to 17 year old girls in intimate relationships, one in six girls said they had been hit by their boyfriends regularily and one in sixteen said they had been raped. Experiencing domestic violence has serious emotional impact: feelings can include fear, sadness, loneliness, helplesness and despair, and anger. In the home anger may be focused on both parents, towards the abuser for inflicting the violence and towards the victim for accepting the behaviour. Witnessing the abuse of a parent or experiencing intimate partner violence may result in adolescents exhibiting behavioural problems, both at home and in the school, which have an impact on friendships and educational progress. Education can suffer when adolescents stay home to protect their parents or themselves from an abusive partner. Friends are highly valued by teenagers as confidants and sources of support, but behavioural difficulties may jeopardise friendships. Many adolescents cope with the stress of domestic violence by distancing themselves from their family or friends. They may withdraw emotionally through music, reading or participating in on-line virtual worlds, or physically by spending long periods out of the home, or running away.
This information has been taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010.
