Domestic violence may be kept from relatives, neighbors, clergy, or others but children living with violence know what is happening. A home that is characterized by physical, emotional, sexual or property abuse is frightening, debilitating, and an unhealthy place. Children who live with such a home are unable to be children. Psychologist Ruth Olsen says all children are affected. The signs may be different based on how children interpret the experience of witnessing the violence. Some factors that may determine how children will be affected are: how they have learned to cope and survive with the stress of living in a violent home; to what extent do they have support and to what extent do they use supports (i.e. friends, relatives or other adults). Each of these factors influences how deeply the violence will affect children.
Children may have some or all these feelings:
Children may express these feelings by behaving in some or all of these:
SAFETY ALERT: Computer use can be monitored and it is impossible to completely clear all website footprints. If you are in danger, please use a safer computer that your abuser can not access directly or remotely, or call ODVN 800-934-9840 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE.