How domestic violence can impact children

Domestic and family violence is a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

In Australia, domestic and family violence is a significant social issue affecting individuals from all walks of life, regardless of gender, age, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. This makes domestic and family violence all the more frightening with it potentially being a reality for anyone.

Children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence are particularly vulnerable to the long-term impacts of this form of abuse. But what are these impacts?

In this article, we will explore the long-term impacts and potential effects of domestic violence on children in Australia, including the physical, psychological, and social effects of this form of abuse.

Prevalence of domestic and family violence in Australia

The statistics surrounding family and domestic violence in Australia show that it is a disturbingly common occurrence. It is estimated that one in six women and one in sixteen men have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner since the age of 15.

Furthermore, an estimated 1.5 million Australian women and 992,000 men have experienced sexual abuse before the age of 15, and 500,000 Australian adults who have experienced abuse said that their children witnessed the abusive behaviour.

Domestic and family violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and spiritual abuse. As abuse can occur in many different ways, some people may not even realise that they are a victim of or witnessing domestic violence.

Below are some of the different kinds of abuse:

• Physical Abuse – this could involve physical behaviours such as hitting, kicking, punching, strangling and restraining.
• Sexual Abuse – this can include rape, as well as non-consensual touching.
• Verbal Abuse – this may include criticism that is aimed to humiliate the victim and give them low self-esteem.
• Psychological Abuse – could involve gaslighting or other actions aiming to negatively impact the mental health of the victim.
• Social Abuse – restricting who the victim contacts and isolation.
• Financial Abuse – restricting access to financial resources, including not allowing the victim to access any money.
• Cultural or Spiritual Abuse – behaviour that doesn’t allow a person to follow their faith customs.

You can learn more about these different types of abuse here.

While it’s clear that domestic violence can have a significant impact on adults, particularly those who are direct victims of violence, children exposed to domestic violence can experience negative physical, psychological and social effects that could impact their entire lives.

The effects of domestic violence on children can occur whether they witness violence or experience it directly and the effects can be short-term or long-term.

The physical effects of domestic and family violence on children can include injuries, such as bruises, cuts, and broken bones, as well as long-term health problems, such as chronic pain and illnesses.

The psychological effects of domestic and family violence on children can include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.

Children who witness or experience domestic and family violence are also at risk of experiencing social problems, such as poor academic performance, behavioural problems, and social isolation.

Factors that influence the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence on children

Not every child who experiences or witnesses domestic violence trauma in their lives will suffer from these effects we’ve mentioned. Various factors can influence the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence on children. Some of these factors include:

Age and developmental stage of the child

The age and developmental stage of the child can influence the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence.

Younger children are at greater risk of experiencing physical harm and could experience delayed mobility, while school-age children and older children may be more likely to experience mental health issues, substance issues, and violence perpetration and victimisation.

Relationship with the perpetrator

The relationship between the child and the perpetrator can also influence the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence.

Children who witness or experience violence from a parent or caregiver may be more likely to experience negative outcomes later in life compared to those who witness or experience violence from a non-caretaker.

Duration and severity of the violence

The duration and severity of the violence can also influence the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence. Children who experience prolonged and severe violence are at greater risk of experiencing negative outcomes later in life compared to those who experience less severe or shorter-term violence.

How else can children be impacted by domestic and family violence?

Besides the risk of physical violence and harm and the other effects we’ve mentioned already, domestic violence can also impact other areas of a person’s life.

For example, domestic violence commonly plays a role in homelessness with 37% of people who were seeking help for homelessness having experienced domestic violence.

In addition to homelessness and housing instability, domestic violence can also cause financial problems and disruptions to a child’s education and can also result in the loss of contact with family members.