Children who are exposed to domestic violence in the home experience emotional, mental, and social damage that can affect their developmental growth and the rest of their lives. Not all children exposed to violence are affected equally or in the same ways.
Children’s immediate reactions to domestic violence may include:
Generalized anxiety and constant state of fear
Sleeplessness and/or nightmares
Believing they are to blame
Difficulty concentrating
Poor school performance
High activity levels
Increased aggression
Increased anxiety about being separated from a parent
Feeling socially isolated due to social discomfort or confusion over what is acceptable
Intense worry about their safety or the safety of a parent
Long-term effects, especially from chronic exposure to domestic violence, may include:
Physical health problems
Behavior problems in adolescence (e.g., juvenile delinquency, alcohol, substance abuse)
Emotional difficulties in adulthood (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD)
Lose the ability to feel empathy for others
Also, statistics show that they are 15 times more likely to be victims of
child abuse. Parents, if domestic violence is happening in your home, seek help!!! Keep your children safe from emotional trauma.
Safe from the Start is a community response dedicated to reducing the trauma of exposure to violence in children ages birth to five years. They will work with the non-offending caregiver and children who are experiencing distress due to exposure to violence. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Safe from the Start services, please call 630-540-0549.
If you need help now, please call 911 or the Illinois Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline 877 TO END DV
(877-863-6338), 877-863-6339 TTY.
Brought to you by the St. Hubert Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry.