Children of Domestic Violence

• 91% of battered women said that their children have witnessed their battering (Hershey, Report to Eastern Psychological Association, 1982).

• 63% of all domestic violence offenders had either seen their mothers abused or had themselves been abused as children (San Francisco Family Violence Project, 1981).

• Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys raised in nonviolent homes (National Woman Abuse Prevention Project).

At the Support Network, we provide options to help women make choices about their relationships. We believe that it is very important to think about and protect all children who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence. A child in a violent home can be affected both physically and emotionally. Some feelings experienced by children of domestic violence are guilt, fear, helplessness, sadness, low self-esteem, anger and depression. These feelings can be expressed in different ways. Common behaviors displayed by children who witness domestic violence are bed wetting, isolation, temper tantrums and hyperactivity, among others.

Please ask one of our counselors about the services provided to children by the Support Network.

Children’s Groups:  10-week psycho-educational group open to children ages 5-8 and 9-12. Call 1-800-572-2782 for more information.

Individual Counseling:  English (Sliding Scale)



See related articles:

Domestic Violence Through the Eyes of a Child
Passport Services and Your Child
Talking to Young Children about Domestic Violence: When a Parent Goes to Jail