Children living in a violent environment may suffer from so much stress. They may experience physical, behavioral, cognitive and or social problems. The depth of the suffering depends on variety of factors like the child's age, gender and duration and severity of the violence.
Physical Effects
1. The actual physical abuse may result to physical disfiguration, broken bones, sprains and lacerations. Worst is the physical disfiguration because this will leave a mark or a scar that will constantly haunt the child of his horrible experience.
2. Some will suffer from headache, asthma, sleeping difficulty and nightmares, bed wetting and nail biting.
Emotional Effects
1. Witnessing violence or being a victim of such may cause the child the feeling of
Fear/Anxiety – Every time the perpetrator is around, he will never be at peace; he would fear he might anger the abuser. He would be walking in a tiptoe or might be nervous just hearing the abusers voice.
2. Anger – May trigger a kid/child to also hurt others or hurt himself.
3. Loss and separation – He will feel he doesn't belong anywhere, sometimes this triggers children especially teenagers to commit suicide.
4. Guilt or confusion – He will keep on blaming himself that sometimes he would just let the perpetrator abuse him feeling that it is his entire fault.
Behavioral Effects
1. He will find difficulty in expressing himself and feelings which may sometimes result to destructive behaviors.
2. It will be difficult for him to trust people.
3. A child may go through excessive crying, dependency and tantrums.
4. He may resort too violence too, hurt people just to get his way to have what he wants.
Cognitive and Social Effects
1. The child understanding of resolving conflicts will be affected. He would think that violence and fighting are means of solving problems.
2. He will isolate himself to others. He will feel insecurities and would think he is dreadful to mingle with others.
3. He will be insensitive on what other would feel.
4. It will affect his studies as well.
Children deserve to be loved, cared and respected. They don't deserve to be treated violently. They deserve a peaceful environment. Let us end domestic violence against the children. Let us work hand in hand and support the cause of bringing back the confidence and better future for the children who have been victims of domestic abuse.
Children – There are cases when a mother felt guilty to move out thinking how the separation will affect the kids. Of course, the children will be psychologically affected however; situations where they would constantly see you being beaten by their father will also distress them. No matter what, there are groups and organizations who are always willing to help you and the kids. They can provide you not only temporary shelter if needed but as well as therapy to help the kids overcome the turmoil.
Physical Effects
1. The actual physical abuse may result to physical disfiguration, broken bones, sprains and lacerations. Worst is the physical disfiguration because this will leave a mark or a scar that will constantly haunt the child of his horrible experience.
2. Some will suffer from headache, asthma, sleeping difficulty and nightmares, bed wetting and nail biting.
Emotional Effects
1. Witnessing violence or being a victim of such may cause the child the feeling of
Fear/Anxiety – Every time the perpetrator is around, he will never be at peace; he would fear he might anger the abuser. He would be walking in a tiptoe or might be nervous just hearing the abusers voice.
2. Anger – May trigger a kid/child to also hurt others or hurt himself.
3. Loss and separation – He will feel he doesn't belong anywhere, sometimes this triggers children especially teenagers to commit suicide.
4. Guilt or confusion – He will keep on blaming himself that sometimes he would just let the perpetrator abuse him feeling that it is his entire fault.
Behavioral Effects
1. He will find difficulty in expressing himself and feelings which may sometimes result to destructive behaviors.
2. It will be difficult for him to trust people.
3. A child may go through excessive crying, dependency and tantrums.
4. He may resort too violence too, hurt people just to get his way to have what he wants.
Cognitive and Social Effects
1. The child understanding of resolving conflicts will be affected. He would think that violence and fighting are means of solving problems.
2. He will isolate himself to others. He will feel insecurities and would think he is dreadful to mingle with others.
3. He will be insensitive on what other would feel.
4. It will affect his studies as well.
Children deserve to be loved, cared and respected. They don't deserve to be treated violently. They deserve a peaceful environment. Let us end domestic violence against the children. Let us work hand in hand and support the cause of bringing back the confidence and better future for the children who have been victims of domestic abuse.
Children – There are cases when a mother felt guilty to move out thinking how the separation will affect the kids. Of course, the children will be psychologically affected however; situations where they would constantly see you being beaten by their father will also distress them. No matter what, there are groups and organizations who are always willing to help you and the kids. They can provide you not only temporary shelter if needed but as well as therapy to help the kids overcome the turmoil.
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