The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Laura’s House is a community-based non-profit organization that empowers individuals and families to lead violence-free lives. We offer a comprehensive range of services including safe refuge for women and children escaping violent homes. We also offer legal support services, counseling, community education, and prevention workshops for teens on healthy relationships and dating violence. In this installment of the Laura's House Podcast series, we will be speaking with Lily Habte, a therapist at Laura’s House, about the effects of domestic violence on children. Studies have estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of children are at risk for exposure to domestic violence. Family violence creates a home environment where children live in constant fear, and children who witness family violence are impacted in ways that are similar to children who are physically abused. Additionally, children exposed to domestic violence at home are more likely to develop social, emotional, psychological and/or behavioral problems than those who are not. Recent research indicates that children who witness domestic violence show more anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, anger and temperament problems than children who do not witness violence in the home.