How far can children be said to be affected by domestic violence? Discuss in relation to recent research in this area.
How far can children be said to be affected by domestic violence? Discuss in relation to recent research in this area.
Olivia Prior
Introduction
The aim of this report is to highlight the fact that children are indeed affected by domestic violence, and to utilise extracts from recent research to illustrate the point. Krug et al. (2002) have observed that children who have seen the abuse of a parent are likely to display psychological and behavioural issues that a child unaffected by domestic violence would not, such as suicidal tendencies, self-esteem issues and anxiety disorders. This report will look into three main categories, the first being what children know and understand about domestic violence, which shall touch on the meaning of domestic violence and the ways in which children and young people understand parental conflicts along with the ways in which children make sense of abuse. It is important that the ways in which children understand domestic violence is comprehended by others before reading further into the report, as it aids in the explanation of children’s reactions. The second category to be examined is children’s experiences, looking into how domestic violence takes its toll on children, when children decide to intervene in between violence, what children have heard or seen and leaving and losses, which touches upon post-separation violence. The experiences of children are important to place before that of the coping strategies, as it illuminates the reasons behind why children react in the ways that they do. The third category is that of coping strategies, looking into how children are likely to cope with the distress and trauma of living with domestic violence, including the immediate and longer-term strategies that children use.
What children know and understand about domestic violence
The meaning of domestic violence, personal knowledge and awareness
The generally accepted definition of domestic violence is that of violence in
Olivia Prior
Introduction
The aim of this report is to highlight the fact that children are indeed affected by domestic violence, and to utilise extracts from recent research to illustrate the point. Krug et al. (2002) have observed that children who have seen the abuse of a parent are likely to display psychological and behavioural issues that a child unaffected by domestic violence would not, such as suicidal tendencies, self-esteem issues and anxiety disorders. This report will look into three main categories, the first being what children know and understand about domestic violence, which shall touch on the meaning of domestic violence and the ways in which children and young people understand parental conflicts along with the ways in which children make sense of abuse. It is important that the ways in which children understand domestic violence is comprehended by others before reading further into the report, as it aids in the explanation of children’s reactions. The second category to be examined is children’s experiences, looking into how domestic violence takes its toll on children, when children decide to intervene in between violence, what children have heard or seen and leaving and losses, which touches upon post-separation violence. The experiences of children are important to place before that of the coping strategies, as it illuminates the reasons behind why children react in the ways that they do. The third category is that of coping strategies, looking into how children are likely to cope with the distress and trauma of living with domestic violence, including the immediate and longer-term strategies that children use.
What children know and understand about domestic violence
The meaning of domestic violence, personal knowledge and awareness
The generally accepted definition of domestic violence is that of violence in
References: Abrahams, C. (1994) The Hidden Victims: Children and Domestic Violence. London: NCH Action for Children Attala, J Chemtob, C. M. and Carlson, J. G. (2004) Psychological Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and their mothers. International Journal of Stress Management. 11 (3) pp. 209-226 Hoyle, C and Zedner, L Krug et al. (2002) The World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva World Health Organisation Mathias, J McAlister Groves, B. (1999) Mental Health Services from Children who Witness Domestic Violence. The Future of Children. 9 (3) pp. 122-132 McCloskey, L Mullender et al. (2002) Children’s Perspectives on Domestic Violence. London: Sage Publications Sternberg, K