How does family violence affect children?
Witnessing violence between trusted adults has a more profound effect on a child’s development than television and movies ever could. Children often see the violence. Even if they do not see it, they may well hear it. And even if they can’t hear it, they will always feel the effects of violence in their home. They may hear about the violence from adult conversation. They may see how the violence affects their parents. They may be abused themselves either by being caught in the crossfire or later as victims of violence themselves. Children in violent homes are at increased risk for serious physical and sexual abuse. Children are never safe from family violence. How profoundly violence affects children depends, in part, on the extent and severity of the violence, especially if verbal or psychological threats are used (“Next time you…, I’ll kill you”). It also depends on the ability of the parent or parents to continue to function as loving caretaker(s). Being a loving parent is often d
