How does domestic abuse affect children?
It is estimated that around 1 in 5 children will experience or witness domestic abuse – that equates to an average of at least 1 child in every classroom who is experiencing/witnessing domestic abuse. Two thirds of these children will be directly harmed by their experiences.
Children who experience or witness domestic abuse are at risk of both short and long-term physical and mental health problems. Every child will be affected differently by domestic abuse. Children do not have to be targeted directly to be affected.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children who have been exposed to domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.
Barnardos have produced a helpful summary of the effects of domestic abuse on children.
Short-term impacts
For young children this can include:
- bed-wetting
- increased sensitivity and crying
- difficulty sleeping or falling asleep
- separation anxiety
For school aged children this can include:
- a loss of drive to participate in activities and school
- lower grades in school
- feeling guilty and to blame for the abuse happening to them
- getting into trouble more often
- physical signs such as headaches and stomach aches
For teenagers this can include:
- acting out in negative ways such as missing school or fighting with family members
- having low self-esteem
- finding it difficult to make friends
- engaging in risky behaviours such as using alcohol and other drugs
Long-term effects of domestic abuse:
- mental health problems, such as becoming anxious or depressed. Low mental health can also lead to big impacts on physical health, including self-harm or developing an eating disorder
- having a lowered sense of self-worth
- using alcohol and other drugs as unhealthy coping mechanisms
Children who experience domestic abuse may have a distorted view of what constitutes a healthy relationship and are so at risk of normalising abuse in their future relationships – this is why Safe in Sussex advocates healthy relationship education in schools.