The Impact of Witnessing Domestic Violence on Children Mental Health

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Final Report

The impact of witnessing domestic violence on children mental health

Student Number： 13793218

Class ：3D

Teacher Name: Trover Carty

Full Name: DuANSuyi

Count Number: 1508

Directory

1.0 Introduction        2

2.0 Definition of domestic violence         2

3.0 The impact of witnessing domestic violence on children mental development         2

3.1 depressing and anxiety         3

      3.2 Increased aggression towards peers         3

3.3 Low self-esteem        3

3.4 Inappropriate and dangerous behavior         4

4.0 Age and gender  effects         4

5.0 solution for witnessing domestic violence           7

5.1 Foster bond among  family members         8

5.2 Develop a recovery plan         8

6.0 conclusion         9

References         10

The impact of witnessing domestic violence on children mental health

1.0 Introduction

Ten million children between the ages of 3 to 17 are at risk of exposure to domestic violence every  year   Children’s Fund (2006 )Children who witness domestic violence are likely to be ignored. The children seem to be doing well, or the parents are doing their best to keep the children out of the violent episodes, but the impact of witnessing the events are detrimental(Pfouts, Schopler, & Henley Jr., 1982). Hence the aim of writing the report is to let the society pay more attention to the children who witness violence and address their need and try to reduce the number of children who influenced by domestic abuse. Depression and anxiety   Increased aggression towards peers  low self-esteem as well as

 Inappropriate and dangerous behavior are some   Problem after children witnessing domestic violence. Foster bonding among family members and develop a recover plan are some solutions for the children who witness domestic violence.

2.0 Definition of domestic violence

  Domestic violence can be defined as the systematic pattern of abusive behaviours in a relationship that is used to gain and maintain control and power over another person (Domestic Abuse Project, 2016). The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: physical, sexual, financial, emotional’ (Home Office, 2018). In addition, family violence includes behavior by a person that causes a child to hear, witness or otherwise be exposed to the effects of violence after the violence has occurred. ( Curran, 2013).

3.0 The impact of witnessing domestic violence on children mental development

Child exposure to domestic violence may have adverse effects on child development

and well-being. Children who are exposed to domestic violence are at greater risk of

 emotional disorder. Furthermore, exposed children are at an increased risk for developing depression and anxiety and often demonstrate more behavioural problem like Increased aggression towards peers and Low self-esteem and some dangerous behavior are acting out.

3.1 depressing and anxiety

Children who are exposed to battering become

fearful and anxious  (Putnam Adult, 2004)  they are always on guard, watching and waiting for the next event to occur. They never know what will trigger the abuse, and therefore, they never feel safe  They are always worried for themselves, their mother, and siblings. When children reach preschool age and are witnessing

domestic violence, they commonly show withdrawn social behaviours, have heightened anxiety and are more fearful (  Hornor, 2005). They always worried separate with their parents   (Hornor, 2005). As a result, they may lose bonding with their parents and they are likely to interact with people and not developing social skills.

  3.2 Increased aggression towards peers

The children who witness domestic violence for a long time may also have behavior towards their peers(Howell et al., 2016). .For example, when the children reach school ages they Can bully others for no reason (Allen, Wolf, Bybee, & Sullivan, 2003). .In addition, this type of children often does not know how to make friends they always use violence to treat the friends because they learn it from their parents so they think is a correct way to treat friends (Howell et al., 2016). Therefore they may have no friends and they are likely to feel lonely when they are at school

3.3 Low self-esteem

 Morrison says family violence also affects the development of children’s core beliefs, which guide how they see themselves and the world around them. “Core beliefs

.(how family violence affects a child’s world,2016).Among children who experience family violence core beliefs can include, ‘I’m unlovable’, ‘I’m not safe’, ‘I’m not worthwhile’ and ‘powerless’.when the children think like this they may have  different to make friends, because the children  always think they are not good enough to make  friends with other children s, they just stay there by themselves and they always shy to express  themselves and the school results may get affected. ( How family violence affects a child’s world,2016)

 3.4 Inappropriate and dangerous behavior

Children witness domestic violence for a long time they will angry about the situation. They start misbehaving themselves So at this stage the children are at risk of engaging in dangerous behavior such as, unprotected drugs and skipping school as well as rude to other people. These phenomena often occur when the children’s age from 13 to 19      (Baldry, 2007).

Domestic violence occurs at all ages. Sterne and Poole (2010) point out that the harm can be present across all age phases, it will differentiate by three age groups, namely young children aged 1–4, children aged 5–10, and young people aged 11–16 since challenges and issues arising from domestic violence are different across these ages. It should be noted, however, these age groups are approximate and children’s experiences and responses will be influenced by individual needs and context. of children. The children at different age group will react differently to the domestic violence children ‘s age between 1一4 are difficult to understand what is domestic violence so they will show sign of terror such as, stuttering or hidden because they are lack of safety research by (Children’s Commissioner,  2018).