What is Domestic Violence?

According to the USDOJ Office on violence against women Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone (USDOJ OVW 2009). Visitation and custody with the batterer complicates matters.

Domestic violence is traumatic and has a significant impact on our children and the victim. Research has shown that the younger the child; the more pervasive the damages on the childs development will be. Get help now! To prevent damaging effects to children.

When children are exposed to domestic violence, parents are not prepared to meet the psychological needs of their children as a result of dealing with the trauma, fear and stress the parent is dealing with. It is vital to treat children who are exposed to domestic violence or abuse as secondary or primary victims; or both.

National Police Domestic Abuse Foundation

The Silent Victims of Domestic Abuse Our Children

After a relationship ends, many batterers attempt to

establish that they are competent and caring parents and that their ex-partners are not. We observe that parenting can become an arena through which the batterer attempts to prove to friends and relatives that he was the more psychologically healthy member of the couple, striving thereby to discredit his ex- partner's reports that he was abusive. We have had numerous clients over the years make statements to us to the effect of, "You'll see what happens now that we've broken up, her life is going to fall apart, because I am the one who has been holding her together." One way a batterer can attempt to make this prediction come true is by creating as many difficulties as possible in the parenting life of his ex-partner (Bancroft & Silverman 2002).

STOP THE VIOLENCE!

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN

FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE

National Police Domestic Abuse Foundation

1629 K Street Suite 300 Washington DC 20006 1-800-723-2829 www.npdaf.org

Victoria Hargan MA Forensic Psychology Executive Director Specializing in Forensic Traumatology

Psychological Impact of Domestic Violence on Children

For example, if a child is having difficulty concentrating, poor performance in school, distractibility, and difficulty sleeping/insomnia, the child may be diagnosed with ADHD. The child will then be put on an ADHD medication; such as:

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence May Exhibit:

Low self-esteem Withdrawn Isolation Feel emotionally abandoned Aggression Phobias Criminal behavior Insomnia Poor academic performance Take on adult roles Anxiety and depression Learn to abuse others/Become a bully Feeling powerless and living in constant fear Disturbed sleep patterns, or nightmares Learn maladaptive behaviors May harm themselves/suicide Use substances or alcohol as a means to cope (older child) Adverse affects to development in infants and toddlers May develop behavioral problems May have difficulty concentrating, resulting in poor performance at school. Disturbed eating pattern/including development of eating disorders and malnutrition

Methylphenidate-based drugs which include: Ritalin, Concerta and Metadate Amphetamine-based drugs which include: Adderall and Dexedrine

Research has shown that exposure to domestic violence adversely impacts a childs development and overall well-being. Many children are often misdiagnosed with medical and mental health issues such as ADHD, Bi-Polar, insomnia, physiological and psychological symptoms as a result. Children cope with stress differently than adults do; due to age related developmental cognitive maturity and limitations. Therefore, many of the symptoms exhibited by children who have been exposed to domestic violence or abuse may exhibit symptoms that mimic other conditions such as ADHD.

If a child is exhibiting symptoms from traumatic stress or other negative stressors; these are not the best medications for a child who is exhibiting these symptoms. The insomnia itself can cause lack of concentration, poor school performance, distractibility, irritability and aggression as a result of sleep deprivation; anxiety, fear, and depression. Talk to your health care provider about alternative interventions.

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE

Help your children break the generational cycle of domestic violence. Domestic violence teaches our children:

Such behavior is normal To use coercive power to influence our loved ones. Identify with the aggressor and lose respect for the mother. 90% of men who abuse have experienced abuse in their family.

ADHD OR TRAUMATIC STRESS?

It is important to provide information to your childs health care provider regarding past or current abuse that your child may have been exposed to. This can have an impact on how the health care provider will proceed with care; including a medication regimen to fit the condition or symptoms that your child is exhibiting. If you do not disclose this information you run the chance of your child being misdiagnosed; in addition to a medication prescribed to your child that may potentially harm or exacerbate their symptoms rather than treat the actual condition or symptoms.

We can help stop and prevent domestic violence by teaching our youth alternatives to violence; in addition to understanding the dynamics of domestic violence within our families. Contact your local domestic violence agency for more information.