The following information is brought to you by St. Hubert’s Domestic Violence Ministry
Children and Domestic Violence – Part I
Exposure Children are exposed to or experience domestic violence in many ways. They may hear one parent/caregiver threaten the other, observe a parent who is out of control or reckless with anger, see one parent assault the other, or live with the aftermath of a violent assault. Many children are affected by hearing threats to the safety of their caregiver, regardless of whether it results in physical injury. Children who live with domestic violence are also at increased risk to become direct victims of child abuse.
“Domestic violence poses a serious threat to children's emotional, psychological, and physical well-being, particularly if the violence is chronic.”
Effects
Not all children exposed to violence are affected equally or in the same ways. For many children, exposure to domestic violence may be traumatic, and their reactions are similar to children's reactions to other traumatic stressors. Whether or not children are physically abused, they often suffer emotional and psychological trauma from living in homes where abuse occurs.
If you or someone you know is being abused, seek help today. In an emergency, please dial 911. For all other help, please call: Illinois Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline 877 TO END DV (
877-863-6338),
877-863-6339 TTY or call WINGS 24-hour hotline
847-221-5680.