Domestic Violence: Long And Short-Term Effects On Children

With that said, long and short-term effects are combining factors as a result of children’s responding reaction to the severity of the displayed domestic violence or child abuse; abused parent (caregiver) disposition or reaction; the perpetrator’s rage / outburst and the juxtaposition of people involved.

In addition to developmental delays, children five years and younger may experience the following anguish retorts: sleep and eating disorders or disruptions; lack volunteer responsiveness; intense separation anxiety and /or emotional outburst (inconsolable crying); regression or loss of acquired skills; intense aggression and impulsive behavior (temper tantrum). Moreover, research have shown that children ages six through eleven experience

Children ages 12 through 18, might display intense anger and fear from living with the abused and / or abuser. As a result, they demonstrate sign or behavior bitterness, regret, and despitefulness of the threatening and controlling environment. Oftentimes the violent disruption in the home, contributes to teenagers finding themselves displaying reckless behaviors such as indulging in drugs; using alcohol; sexual escapades (unsafe); abusive relationships; and living on the street. In fact, approximately 16 million children are exposed to domestic violence yearly and half of these children are living in shelters or on the streets (Family and Youth Service Bureau, 2012). An astonishing number of children affect by domestic violence and child abuse are coping with the stress of being aloof from their homes, friends, schools, and communities due to safe prevention planning by the victim of the abuse. On the other hand, many children find the need to remove themselves with concern of their own welfare and

Studies have shown several causes of homelessness for children are due to family dysfunction, abuse, and exposure to violence within the homes. Children escaping home violence have led to the increase in juvenile criminal activities whether it is voluntary or involuntary. Unfortunately, according prevention programs and human service resources, many of these runaway children find themselves in a similar situation on the street being victimized or witnessing abuse (NRCDV, 2013). Moreover, these individuals are being forced into prostitution or other criminal activities to make ends meet. Sex trade exposure (sex trafficking) is one of the direct outcomes of runaway adolescents who were exposed and / or experience victimization and family violence (IPV). A cumulative numbers of research on violence exposure during childhood and adolescence years within the home has resulted in a high number of poor outcomes. Studies have shown runaways and homeless youths are direct links to IPV, child abuse, and sex victimization in the homes compared to non-exposed youths (Kennedy, Bybee, Kulkarni, & Archer,