| Domestic violence can have many effects on children. | | | | There are also many long term effects from |
| These effects include short term and long term | | | | domestic violence. Destructive and violent behavior |
| problems. Childrenoften remember domestic violence | | | | often follows those who haveexperienced domestic |
| their entire lives. | | | | violence as children. Some children learn to handle |
| The short term effects on children who have | | | | their anger and frustration with the violence |
| experienced domestic violence can vary depending | | | | theyhave witnessed. Other children grow up to abuse |
| on the age of the child,gender, family role and | | | | alcohol or drugs. There are often problems with |
| personality. Children may blame themselves for the | | | | stress and anxiety. |
| violence or have trouble sleeping. They maybegin | | | | Children who have grown up with domestic violence |
| wetting the bed or having nightmares. | | | | may exhibit a loss of trust or have emotional |
| Children who witness or are a part of domestic | | | | problems. |
| violence may regress to an earlier stage of | | | | Children who have lived with domestic violence should |
| development. They may show signs of fearfulness or | | | | be protected from further violence and should be |
| anxiety and begin destructive or aggressive behavior. | | | | told and shown that any kind of abuse is wrong. |
| Other short term effects of domestic violence may | | | | Encourage children to talk about their feelings and |
| include cruelty to animals or bullying others. Children | | | | provide counseling if necessary. Theeffects of |
| may experience stress related illnesses like | | | | domestic violence can be lessened when children are |
| stomachaches or headaches. You may also notice | | | | taken from the situation, loved and reassured that |
| speech difficulties and a withdrawal from people or | | | | they arenot at fault. |
| activities. Watch for drug or alcohol abuse. | | | | |