Children can be exposed to family violence in many different ways.
Parents sometimes mistakenly believe that because the child was not in the room at the time of the violence or did not actually witness the violence that it does not impact the children.
The truth is that children can also be impacted by violence if they overhear the violence, if they see the aftermath of the violence by seeing injuries, they help to clean up the mess after violence, if they witness police or an ambulance in attendance because of the violence.
Sometimes children are asked to keep the violence secret and not tell anyone about it. The act of asking children to keep the violence a secret, is in itself an act that involves the children to the family violence.
Family Violence will affect different children in different ways depending on the child’s personality, the developmental stage of the child, the child’s environment and whether the child is able to also receive positive support from community members outside the immediate family. (such as teachers or family friends)
Children exposed to family violence may have difficulties controlling their emotions, develop depression or anti-social behaviours, develop problems at school and have difficulties developing and maintaining relationships.
Of course, children who are the brunt of violence may also have physical injuries and develop emotional and psychological problems.
Sometimes parents can change the way they parent a child in front of the abusive parent as a way of trying to prevent or minimise further abuse. This may be confusing for the child.
The time of parental separation can sometimes be a high risk time for family violence. However, there are some things that a parent exposed to family violence can do:
- If the threat is immediate call the police.
- A parent may make a safety plan with professional assistance.
- A parent may wish to make a detailed parenting plan focusing on the best interests of the children.
- A parent may contact a helpline for further assistance.
National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line-1800 737 732.
