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Every year, more than 4.5 million women experience physical violence from their partner (Vagianos, 2014). This number only presents the victims of one form of domestic violence. Although 15 percent of men also experience some form of domestic violence, women are still more likely to be victimized at 85 percent (Vagianos, 2014). This issue has been affecting the society for many years, and it continue to do so. In fact, in 2011, the number of American soldiers (6488) that were killed in the Afghanistan war was only half of the women who were killed by their partners (11766) (Vagianos, 2014). What makes this matter worst is that women are not the only victims of each incident. Their children also suffer the consequences of domestic violence. In order to understand this issue further, it is imperative to take a look at the nature of domestic violence and its serious effects on child development.
What is Domestic Violence?
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (n.d.). “domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.” There are different forms of domestic violence, and each form presents distinct and serious effects.
Physical Abuse
One of the most common forms of domestic violence is physical abuse. The abusive partner uses force to physically harm or inflict pain on the other partner. This includes squeezing, slapping, punching, kicking, hitting, shaking, pinching, pushing, and other violent actions (Cefrey, 2009). There are also cases where the abuser uses an object to cause more pain to the other.
Emotional Abuse
Even without being physically harmed, a woman can still be a victim of domestic violence. Also known as psychological abuse, emotional abuse mentally inflicts harm on the victim. Emotional abuse is defined as a “behavior and language designed to degrade or humiliate someone by attacking their self-value or personality” (Brockenbrough, 2010). This is done through insults, harassment, threats, or intimidation. As a result, the victims suffer from psychological damage, which includes anxiety, nervousness, and a feeling of isolation (Cefrey, 2009).
Financial Abuse
Financial or economic abuse is another form of domestic violence. Although this is not often understood, research showed that 98 percent of the victims of abusive relationships also suffer from financial abuse. This is said to be a common strategy of an abuser to gain control and power over the victim. It is characterized by “tactics to limit the partner’s access to assets or conceal information and accessibility to the family finances” (National Network to End Domestic Violence [NNEDV], n.d.). In some cases, financial abuse is subtle and it only develops over time while for some, it is quite overt. In cases like this, the abuser uses physical violence, threat, or intimidation to keep the victim from making an income or from accessing family funds (NNEDV, n.d.). This type of abuse also leads to many negative effects, such as the inability to secure a safe and comfortable housing, negative credit score, lack of independence – all of which results to fear and anxiety.
Sexual Abuse
The American Psychological Association (n.d.) defines sexual abuse as an “unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent.” This includes sexual assault or the act of forcing a partner engage in an unwanted or unsafe sexual behavior. It also includes sexual harassment where the victim’s sexuality is limited or ridiculed. In addition, sexual abuse includes exploitation (e.g., forcing someone to watch a sexual act). As a result, the victims develop fear, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other long-term and short-term effects (American Psychological Association, n.d.).
In many cases, different types of abuse occur simultaneously in one abusive relationship. This means that a victim suffers from a wider range and more serious effects. Furthermore, when there are children in the abusive relationship, domestic violence leaves a number of debilitating long-term effects on them.
The healthy and normal growth of children requires meeting their primary needs. This includes the ensuring that they are provided with a safe home. However, not every child is given a sense of safety and security. Based on a report by the United Nations Secretary-General’ Study on Violence Against Children, there are around 275 million children around the globe who are exposed to domestic violence in their homes (UNICEF, 2006). In other words, millions of children are at risk of suffering from the serious and lasting effects of domestic violence.
Physical Effects
Among all the victims of child abuse, 40 percent also reports domestic violence in their homes (UNICEF, 2006). This means that children coming from abusive relationships at high risk of being abused, too. According to Volpe in his study conducted in North America, “children who were exposed to violence in the home were 15 times more likely to be physically and/ sexually assaulted than the national average” (UNICEF, 2006). Often times, adults are not the only ones who suffer from physical assault when there is domestic violence at home. In order to control or threat the adult victim, some abusers also victimize the children. Moreover, when children witness the violence in their homes and they try to stop it, they can also be unintentionally hurt in the process (Prevent Child Abuse America, 1996). New Beginnings reports that one major reason of women who escaped their homes was that their children are also being attacked by their partners (as cited in Prevent Child Abuse America, 1996).
Behavioral Effects
Even if children are not directly attacked and not physically harmed due to domestic violence, this issue can also have negative effects on the behavior of children. For instance, in a study conducted by Jouriles et al., they were able to find a link between children’s behavioral problems and the episodes of violence and aggression among couples. In this particular study, they found out that children from abusive homes also display a significant level of aggressiveness (as cited in UNICEF, 2006). Moreover, as children witness abuse, they learn that violence can be used to gain power in relationships. They may also interpret what it as an acceptable way to release stress or a way to express love in a partner (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network [NCTSN], n.d.) This means that if these children are not given proper guidance, they can also become abusive later on in life. Behavioral effects of domestic violence also includes the inability to concentrate, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and alcohol abuse (NCTSN, n.d.).
Psychological and Emotional Effects
Aside from the impact of domestic violence on children, it also has psychological or emotional effects on them. Based on the same study of Jouriles et al. (mentioned earlier), children who witness domestic violence are at high risk of suffering from phobias and insomnia (as cited in Carter, Weithorn, and Behrman, 1999). When children are exposed to domestic violence, they may also develop the idea that they are not worthy of being protected from harm. Therefore, they develop a sense of insecurity and low self-worth. In fact, many of them develop low self-esteem and suffer from depression (Carter, Weithorn, and Behrman, 1999). These psychological effects can be observed during childhood. However, domestic violence also psychological effects that can last even until adulthood. For instance, in a study conducted by Silvern, et al., they investigated the long term consequences of parental partner abuse on children. They found out that children who witness domestic violence can exhibit depression, violence at home, low self-esteem, and criminal behavior even when they become adults (Carter, Weithorn, and Behrman, 1999). In addition, repeated exposure to domestic violence can also lead to children’s emotional numbness. This means that they become overly exposed that seeing violence already becomes their norm. Furthermore, children may also suffer from generalized anxiety, intense worry about safety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (NCTSN, n.d.).
Cognitive
The cognitive development of children is also impacted as they witness domestic violence. Children who are continuously exposed to violence in their homes demonstrate low IQ, poor language skills, and low level of visual-motor integration skills (Medina, Margolin, and Gordis, n.d.). As a result, their ability to adapt in school is also impacted. Based on a study conducted by Rossman regarding the cognitive effect of exposure to parental violence, he found out that these children show poor academic performance and low problem-solving skills (as cited in UNICEF, 2006). This can be attributed to their incapacity to pay attention to lessons or other things. They also find it difficult to memorize and process new information. In addition, teachers rated these children to be “less ‘ready to learn,’ less competent in school, and more likely to repeat grades” (Medina, Margolin, and Gordis, n.d.).
Social Effects
Conclusion
Domestic violence is an issue that continues to damage our society. It takes many forms, and most of the time, multiple types of domestic violence occur in a single household. Domestic violence can be in the form of physical abuse, characterized by hitting, punching, kicking, and other similar acts. It can also be in the form of emotional abuse, which includes mocking, insulting, harassment, and threats. Financial abuse, although not commonly understood, is also another form of domestic violence. When a partner is not given access to funds or when a partner is not given the opportunity to make an income through the use of power and control, this can already be qualified as financial abuse. Sexual abuse in also another form of domestic violence. This is characterized by sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. What makes domestic violence more problematic is that it not only affects the abuser and the victim, it also affects innocent children. When children are part of an abusive homes, they are at higher risk of being victims of abuse, too. In some cases, they are also physically harmed, intentionally or not. Children who witness domestic violence also suffer from short-term and long-term behavioral effects. Many of them also develop violent and aggressive behaviors, criminal behaviors, and the tendency to engage in alcohol and other substance abuse. Moreover, they are also psychologically and emotionally affected. These children often suffer from phobias, sleeplessness, anxiety, trauma, negative self-concept, low self-esteem, and depression. The cognitive development of children who are continuously exposed to domestic violence also suffers. They tend to have lower IQ than others. They also have lesser ability to concentrate and solve problems, and all of these affect their academic performance. Lastly, they also find it difficult to make social connections. All of these outcomes highlight the extent and severity of the issue of domestic violence.
References
American Psychological Association (n.d.). Sexual abuse. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/topics/sexual-abuse/
Brockenbrough, M. (2010). Is your partner emotionally abusive? Women’s Health. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/emotional-abuse
Cefrey, H. (2009). Domestic violence. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Medina, A., Margolin, G., and Gordis, E. (n.d.). Children’s exposure to violence – Community violence, domestic violence – General effects. StateUniversity.com. Retrieved from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2531/Violence-Children-s-Exposure.html
National Network to End Domestic Violence. (n.d.). About financial abuse. Retrieved from http://nnedv.org/resources/ejresources/about-financial-abuse.html
NCTSN (n.d.). Children and domestic violence. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Retrieved from http://www.nctsn.org/content/children-and-domestic-violence
Prevent Child Abuse America (1996). The relationship between domestic violence and child abuse. Retrieved from http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/PCAA_DVandChild.pdf
Salcido, L., Weithorn, L., & Behrman, R. (1999). Domestic violence and children: Analysis and recommendations. The Future of Children, 9 (3), 4-20.
UNICEF (2006). Behind closed doors The impact of domestic violence on children. UNICEF. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/media/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf
Vagianos, A. (2014). Huffpost Women. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/23/domestic-violence-statistics_n_5959776.html
