The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Did you know?
- 33.7% of Minnesota women and 23.5% of Minnesota men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.
- At least 16 women and five bystanders/interveners in Minnesota died in intimate partner homicides in 2019.
- One in 15 children (more than 5 million children) in the United States was exposed to intimate partner violence in 2015.
- One in three children who witnessed domestic violence also was a child abuse victim.
- Children’s immediate reaction to experiencing domestic violence includes generalized anxiety, sleeplessness, aggression, difficulty concentrating, nightmares, high levels of activity and separation anxiety.
Children who have been exposed to domestic violence may become fearful and anxious. They become concerned for themselves, siblings and parents. Children exposed to domestic violence at home are much more likely to continue the cycle of abuse as they become adults. They are three times more likely than their peers to engage in violent behavior.
Children living with domestic violence feel:
- Powerless
- Guilt (for loving the abuser/blaming themselves)
- Angry
- Confused
- Afraid
- Isolated
- Anxious
- Sad
- Ashamed
How can we help children living with domestic violence?
- Provide educators with resources and education on how to support students exposed to domestic violence.
- Encourage children to resolve conflicts nonviolently.
- Ask your local legislators to introduce, co-sponsor and support legislation establishing and funding classroom-based programs to educate students about healthy relationships, domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.
Statistics and information from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Houston County Women’s Resources and Violence Free Minnesota.