October 26, 2023: How Witnessing Domestic Violence Affects Children
- Oct 26, 2023
- 1 min read
Preschoolers who witness domestic violence, may revert to the habits of younger children: thumb sucking, bedwetting, increased crying, and whining.
School-aged children can develop anti-social traits, struggle with guilt over the abuse witnessed and take on the blame for the abuse their parent deals with. Domestic violence has ability to cause post-traumatic stress disorder in children that are raised around it.
The trauma of domestic violence is enough to cause dangerous changes in the developing brains of children, including nightmares, changes in sleep patterns, anger, irritability, difficulty concentrating.
Routinely witnessing domestic violence places children at a high risk of developing depression, sadness, concentration issues into adulthood. In some instances, children that live in abusive households are also likely to fall victim to this treatment themselves.
If you are a victim or survivor of domestic abuse seeking help:
National Hotline: 1-800-799 SAFE (7233); 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
This post clearly shows how domestic violence impacts not just adults, but children in profound and lasting ways. Understanding these effects—from emotional struggles to developmental challenges—helps communities respond with care, support, and early intervention. Raising awareness is key to protecting the most vulner