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Statistics on Children and Domestic Violence
In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are at high risk of suffering physical abuse themselves. Regardless of whether children are physically abused, the emotional effects of witnessing domestic violence are very similar to the psychological effects of being a victim of child abuse. Each year, an estimated minimum of 3.3 million children witness domestic violence.
- Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the national average in the general population.
- Research results suggest that battering is the single most common factor among mothers of abused children.
- A major study of more than 900 children at battered women's shelters found that nearly half of the children were themselves victims of physical abuse or neglect. Nearly half of the children had been physically or sexually abused. Five percent had been hospitalized due to the abuse. However, only 20% had been identified by Child Protective Services prior to coming to the shelter. The same study found that the male batterer was most often the abuser, in about one-fourth of the cases both parents abused the children, and in a few cases only the mother.
- Although child abuse and neglect are strongly linked to domestic violence, children protection organizations have paid little attention to the concurrence of the two problems. For example, in 1984, only 15 states participating in the American Humane Association's National Study of Child Abuse and Neglect collected data on the mother's abuse. In 1985, this number dropped to 6 states collecting this data.
- Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may "indirectly" receive injuries. They may be hurt when household items are thrown or weapons are used. Infants may be injured if being held by their mother when the batterer strikes out.
- Older children may be hurt while trying to protect their mother.
- Children from violent homes have a higher risk of alcohol/drug abuse and juvenile delinquency.
- Approximately 90% of children are aware of the violence directed at their mother.
- Children are present in 41-55% of homes where police intervene in domestic violence calls.
- Some of the emotional effects of domestic violence on children include
- Taking responsibility for the abuser
- Constant anxiety (that another beating will occur)
- Guilt for not being able to stop the abuse or for loving the abuser
- Fear of abandonment
- Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may experience cognitive or language problems, developmental delay, stress-related physical ailments (such as headaches, ulcers, and rashes), and hearing and speech problems.
- Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys raised in non-violent homes. There is no evidence, however, that girls who witness their mothers' abuse have a higher risk of being battered as adults.
- Approximately 15 states have passed legislation recognizing that domestic violence should affect child custody decisions.
Reprinted from the National Woman Abuse Prevention Project
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