| Domestic
Violence Affects Children.
What
hurts you hurts your children.
Children
get hurt when they see their parents being yelled at, pushed, or hit. They
feel scared and ashamed, or think that they caused the problem.
Children grow up learning that it's ok to hurt other people or let other
people hurt them. Children who see their mothers beaten develop
emotional problems. Boys who see their fathers abuse and batter
their mothers are more likely to be abusive in their adult intimate
relationships
Warning Signs that
Your Child may be Distressed by Domestic Violence
AGES
0-2
-
Demands
a lot of attention
-
Easily
startled
-
Cries
or screams excessively
-
Sleep
disturbances, nightmares, hard to get to sleep
-
Frequent
health problems
-
Feeding/Eating
problems
-
Excessive
separation anxiety
AGES
3-5
-
Frequent
temper tantrums
-
Excessive
fear or anxiety
-
Has
trouble separating from mother
-
Clingy
-
Eating
problems
-
Cries
or screams excessively
-
Bed
wetting
-
Self-abusive
(biting self, pulling hair, head banging)
-
Overly
active
-
Shows
regression in development
-
Aggressive
behavior
-
Withdrawn
AGES
6-11
-
Problems
getting along with other children
-
Easily
frightened
-
Excessive
anxiety
-
Demands
a lot of attention
-
Is
withdrawn or depressed
-
Is
aggressive
-
Has
difficulty separating from mother
-
Attempts
to protect mother from harm (Gets hurt)
-
Caretaking
of adults (Feels responsible)
-
Blames
mother for violence
-
Identifies
with father
-
Dangerous
risk-taking
-
Overly
active
-
Attention
problems at school
-
Sleep
disturbances
-
Somatic
problems (headaches, stomach aches)
AGES
12 and up
-
Attempts
to protect mother from harm
-
Runs
away
-
Depression
-
Fights
with sisters and brothers
-
Has
difficulty in school
-
Teen
pregnancy
-
Has
trouble concentrating
-
Is
easily influenced by peers
-
Demands
a lot of attention
-
Alcohol
and drug problems
-
Low
self-esteem
-
Uses
relationships to leave home quickly
-
Has
problems with the law
-
Suicide
-
Learns
to be an over-achiever
-
Blames
mother for violence
-
Eating
problems
-
Sociopathic
behaviors (e.g., stealing)
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