Special Sub-Topic: Domestic Violence And Children Click Here To Play: Domestic Violence And Children

TRUE OR FALSE? Family violence creates a home environment where children live in constant fear.

t. TRUE. Children raised in domestically violent homes live in constant fear of the screams, the hollering, the noise of things being thrown around, and their mothers being beaten and seeing them lying in the floor or crying incessantly.

TRUE OR FALSE? Children who witness family violence are not affected in ways similar to children who are physically abused.

f. They are often unable to establish nurturing bonds with either parent. Abusers are often jealous of the attention that their victims give to their children. Bathing, clothing, feeding and tucking in small children diverts the victim's attention from the abuser and onto the children. This angers the abuser and all 'you-know-what' can break loose. In order to avoid problems, a mother will divert as little attention as she can to the children and bonding between parent and child becomes difficult at best. Children are at greater risk for abuse and neglect if they live in a violent home.

According to the American Psychological Association, "Violence and the Family: Report of the APA Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family in 1996", each year an estimated ___ million children are exposed to violence against their mothers or female caretakers by family members.

3.3. 3.3 . Each year, an estimated 3.3 million children are exposed to violence against their mothers or female caretakers by family members. (American Psychological Association, Violence and the Family: Report of the APA Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family,1996)

According to J.L. Edleson, "The overlap between child maltreatment and woman battering." Violence Against Women, in February, 1999, studies show that child abuse occurs in 30% to ___% of family violence cases that involve families with children.

60. 60. Studies show that child abuse occurs in 30 to 60 percent of family violence cases that involve families with children. (J.L. Edleson, "The overlap between child maltreatment and woman battering." Violence Against Women, February, 1999.)

According to Pagelow, "The Forgotten Victims: Children of Domestic Violence," in 1989, in a survey of 6,000 American families found that ____ of men who assault their wives, also abuse their children.

50%. 50. A survey of 6,000 American families found that 50 percent of men who assault their wives, also abuse their children. (Pagelow, "The Forgotten Victims: Children of Domestic Violence," 1989). NOTE: It is interesting to note that many battered women will not try to leave their abusers until the abuser turns on the children and assaults them. This was a great motivator for me, back in the day when my last abuser started abusing my son (he was not the boy's father). I left him that very day for the first time, BUT I went back 3 times for HIS daughters' sake. I was not their mother, but protected them from him as much as I was able.

According to Pagelow, "Effects of Domestic Violence on Children," Mediation Quarterly, in 1990, research shows that _____ percent of children living in homes where there is domestic violence are aware of the violence.

80-90. 80-90. Research shows that 80 to 90 percent of children living in homes where there is domestic violence are aware of the violence. (Pagelow, "Effects of Domestic Violence on Children," Mediation Quarterly, 1990) Children see the bruises, hear their mother's screams and pleadings, see the police lights, and so much more. Just because they are in bed, doesn't mean they are asleep. If they spent the night at gramma's house, it doesn't mean that they won't see mama's bruises. The children know, no matter how much the parents try to hide the fact. They know and it scares them.

According to Bowker, Arbitell and McFerron in 1988, in families where the mother is assaulted by the father, daughters' risk of sexual abuse is _____ times greater than girls in non-abusive families.

6.51. 6.51 . In families where the mother is assaulted by the father, daughters are at risk of sexual abuse 6.51 times greater than girls in non-abusive families (Bowker, Arbitell and McFerron, 1988)

TRUE OR FALSE? A child's exposure to the father abusing the mother is not a risk factor in transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.

f. FALSE. A child's exposure to the father abusing the mother is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next (American Psychological Association, Violence and the Family: Report of the APA Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family, 1996)

Male children raised in a domestically-violent family NEVER try to protect their mothers.

f. FALSE. In a 36-month study of 146 children, ages 11-17 who came from homes where there was domestic violence, all sons over the age of 14 attempted to protect their mothers from attacks. Some 62 percent were injured in the process. (Roy, 1988)

Children who are raised in domestically violent homes can develop PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), requiring possible medication and counseling later in their lives.

t. PTSD may also develop in people who have witnessed violent acts, including children and teens who witness domestic violence. People who have witnessed violent acts may feel guilty about not being able to help the victim of the violent act. Children feel very guilty about not being able to protect or save their mothers from their abuse due to their own fear or simply being too small to defend them. It is not always the case, but is a real possibility and will require the care of a psychiatrist to provide medications and therapy. PTSD used to be called 'shell shock' and most people thought that only war veterans experienced this disorder, but that isn't true. Not anymore.