Domestic violence is a significant problem that has been increasingly recognized over the past few decades. It can be challenging to talk about, but discussing the concept of domestic violence and how it affects children is essential. Domestic violence can occur between two people living together in an intimate relationship, regardless of gender or age. Sometimes this type of abuse involves physical aggression, like punching or hitting a partner to get them to stop doing something they do not want to do. Other times it consists in controlling behavior, such as yelling at a partner or holding where they go or what they do. The abuse can also be emotional or psychological, such as intimidation and threats. The effects of domestic violence on children can be devastating. Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to develop depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and co-occurring mental health issues.
Domestic violence is a severe problem that affects millions of people each year. Children who grow up in homes where they were abused may be more likely to use drugs or alcohol later on. They are more likely to commit crimes as adults than those who do not experience any abuse. Studies show that they are much more likely than other children to engage in criminal activity such as criminal assault or rape. It also affects children’s emotional well-being by leaving them in fear and powerlessness (Iloyd, 2018). To protect themselves from harm or abuse, children may try to hide what is happening in their homes from those closest to them, including friends, teachers, or neighbors. This can make them feel isolated from the rest of society and lead them down a path of depression and anxiety that can last into adulthood. The information is essential for people to learn because it can help them understand how to be aware of these issues, recognize signs of abuse or assault, and what resources are available to help those who need them. They can also learn how to get help in situations where there is no one else present with them (such as at school) and how to remain safe during domestic violence incidents. It is also essential for society as a whole because it can help reduce the number of children currently experiencing these issues and ensure that no child has to experience such abuse or assault ever again.
Children are being exposed to violence at an alarming rate, whether through witnessing the incident or through experience. The short-term effects include stress, anxiety, and depression. Children exposed to violence may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance or numbing of emotions, hypervigilance, sleep problems, and flashbacks. In addition to these behavioral symptoms, children exposed to violence may exhibit physical symptoms such as difficulty concentrating and sleeping (Paul, 2019). Learning about these issues can help parents better understand how their child may be impacted by violence so they can work together to address any problems that may arise. Society can help by creating safe spaces for children who have been abused to go to after their parents have left them. These safe spaces could take many forms, such as a group of friends who will listen to their stories and help them feel less lonely. They could also include services such as counseling and legal advice. Parents need to recognize that when a child or teen uses avoidance coping strategies, it may be due to a lack of self-confidence or understanding about how their feelings might affect others. By providing support for these children and teens experiencing domestic violence, you can help them learn new ways of handling stress that will benefit their physical and mental health as they grow up.
Kids who have an experience with abusive parents affects their interactions with others and their psychological health. This can lead to an increased risk for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood. The coping strategies that help adolescents deal with exposure to domestic violence may also be essential to understand how these outcomes are impacted by attachment with caregivers. Avoidance-coping strategies may be helpful in some cases because they allow adolescents to avoid dealing with the traumatic experience and instead focus on other essential aspects of life. However, this can lead to poor long-term functioning by negatively impacting emotional regulation and self-image. The most important thing parents, caregivers, and others can do when a child experiences domestic violence is to provide them with safety. If a child is afraid or in danger at home, they need to know they’re safe when they go outside. They may also need to know that their parents or other adults will help them in an emergency.
Coercive control is a form of extreme family abuse that leads to the control of a partner or ex-partner over their life, as well as the emotional and physical abuse of another person. This type of abuse is characterized by a person exerting power over another, and this power can be physical, mental, or emotional. A partner on their spouse often perpetrates coercive control, but an ex-partner against a current partner can also perform it. Coercive control can include psychological manipulation, intimidation, and threats to hurt or even kill the victim (Slakoff, 2022). The effects of coercive control are harmful in many ways for victims. Victims may feel trapped in a relationship where they have no choice but to comply with their abuser’s wishes. Victims may experience depression, anxiety, insomnia, low self-esteem, and self-worth. These feelings can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions if left untreated by medical professionals who specialize in treating trauma survivors (National Institute on Mental Health). It is essential for those who are experiencing coercive control to seek help immediately so that they can begin their healing process as soon as possible.
In conclusion, domestic violence is an issue that affects children and society. Children are emotionally and physically affected by this issue, which can lead to them becoming violent as they grow up. Society should help prevent this by providing more resources for victims of domestic violence and their children so they can get back on their feet. Children are often victims of domestic violence because they have no way to escape it or get help. They may not be able to leave their homes because they don’t know where they will go or what would happen if they left home. While there are many factors involved in dealing with domestic violence and child abuse, there are steps that everyone can take to help prevent these issues from occurring in their own families. By speaking out against domestic violence, one can help raise awareness about how serious this issue is. Domestic violence is harmful to one’s health and should, by all means, be prevented.
References
Almış, B. H., Gümüştaş, F., & Kütük, E. K. (2020). Effects of domestic violence against women on mental health of women and children. Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar, 12(2), 232-242.
Lloyd, M. (2018). Domestic violence and education: Examining the impact of domestic violence on young children, children, and young people and the potential role of schools. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2094.
Paul, O. (2019). Perceptions of family relationships and post-traumatic stress symptoms of children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of family violence, 34(4), 331-343.
Perez-Vincent, S. M., Carreras, E., Gibbons, M. A., Murphy, T. E., & Rossi, M. A. (2020). COVID-19 lockdowns and domestic violence. Inter-American Development Bank: Washington, DC, USA, 4.
Slakoff, D. C. (2022). The mediated portrayal of intimate partner violence in true crime podcasts: strangulation, isolation, threats of violence, and coercive control. Violence against women, 28(6-7), 1659-1683.
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