Domestic violence and child abuse and neglect often
coexist
If either domestic violence or child protection issues are
recognised then the family should be evaluated for the other one,
as they often coexist. This is now explicit in Department of Health
policy (5).
The relationship between domestic violence, child
abuse and neglect and children’s well being
A review of 35 studies that reported on the overlap between
domestic violence and child abuse concluded that in 30-60% of
families where either domestic violence or child maltreatment were
occurring the other form of violence was also occurring (8).
Children may also be at risk if they intervene to protect their
mother from harm. In households where the mother is abused there is
also a higher risk that she may also use violence towards her
children (9).
Children witnessing domestic violence
Even if children are not themselves injured they frequently witness
attacks on their mother. In one survey, 73% of the mothers said
their children had witnessed violent incidents and 67% had seen
their mothers beaten (10). The most recent British Crime Survey
(11) found that a current or former partner had physically
assaulted one in four of all women and one in seven of all men.
Half of those who had experienced violence in the past year were
living with children under 16 years of age, and 29% said the
children were aware of what had happened. In the families of women
who are repeatedly assaulted this proportion rose to 45%. Another
study reported that 90% of children were present in the same or the
next room at the time of the assault (12).
The
risk to the unborn child
Domestic violence may escalate during pregnancy and has been
associated with miscarriages, premature birth, low birth weight,
fetal injury and death (13). A study of 127 women in refuges in
Northern Ireland reported that 66% had been abused in pregnancy,
13% had lost babies as a result and 22% had threatened miscarriages
(14).
The outcomes of domestic violence for
children
Domestic violence may undermine a mother’s parenting ability
In addition to the social deprivation and isolation for the mother
caused by domestic violence (whether or not she remains in the
abusive relationship), she may suffer specific health problems
related to the violence. These may be physical, resulting from
injuries, and mental health problems. One study has reported that
for abused women the risks of depression are increased three fold,
drug abuse nine fold, alcohol abuse fifteen fold, and suicide
attempts five fold (15). An abused woman may become passive and
paralysed by her situation, which can also affect her ability to
protect and parent her children, the so-called “battered wife
syndrome” (16).
The
effects of domestic violence on children
Domestic violence can make children fearful, withdrawn,
anxious, disturb their sleep, create difficulties at school and
problems in making friends (10). A study from psychologists in
Canada estimated that half the children living in refuges are
likely to show signs of PTSD (17). In a US study, 75% of mothers
experiencing domestic violence reported negative behaviours in
their children (18). The longer-term effects of domestic violence
on children include lack of self-confidence and social skills,
violent behaviour, depression, difficulties in forming
relationships, disrupted education, and youth homelessness (10).
The increase in aggression - playground violence, bullying, ADHD
and school exclusion, is more likely in boys than girls
(19).
Children in refuges have other health needs. In a British
study of the health of children in refuges there were low levels of
immunisations in addition to behavioural and emotional problems
(20). They also experience social disadvantage in that they may
become socially isolated and lose contact with friends and
family.