Domestic Violence and Its Effects on Children by John Jezzini
John Jezzini Said: Many kids who are exposed to domestic violence also experience physical abuse. Children who experience or witness domestic abuse run a severe risk of developing long-term physical and mental health issues. Children who see their parents fighting may also be more likely to use violence in their relationships in the future. Being abused as a parent might make it challenging to know how to keep your kid safe. In this interview with John Jezzini, We will be looking at the effect of Violence or abuse on Children that affect young children’s education and otherwise.
Q: John Jezzini, What are the immediate consequences of domestic violence or abuse of children?
A: Children who live in households where one parent is mistreated may experience dread and anxiety. They may always be on watch, wondering when the next violent occurrence will occur. Depending on their age, this might lead children to respond in a variety of ways:
- Preschool children Young children who experience intimate partner abuse may revert to childhood behaviors such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, increased weeping, and whining. They may also have difficulties sleeping or staying asleep, exhibit terror-like behaviors such as stuttering or hiding, and exhibit acute separation anxiety.
- Children of elementary school Children in this age group may feel guilty and blame themselves for the maltreatment. Domestic violence and abuse harm children’s self-esteem. They may not engage in school activities or get excellent marks, have fewer friends than others, and are more likely to get into trouble. They may also get a lot of headaches and stomachaches.
- Teens. Teens who experience abuse may exhibit bad behaviors such as arguing with family members or skipping school. They may also participate in dangerous activities such as unprotected sex and drug or alcohol use. They may have poor self-esteem and find it difficult to make friends. They are more inclined to instigate fights or bully others, and they are more likely to get into difficulty with the authorities. This conduct is more frequent in adolescent guys who have been mistreated as children than in adolescent girls. Girls are mostly more prone than boys to be introverted and depressed.
Q: What long-term impact does domestic violence or abuse have on children?
A: Domestic abuse has occurred at least once in households of over 15 million children across the United States. These youngsters are likelier to repeat the pattern as adults, either by joining abusive relationships or being abusers. For example, a teenager who witnesses his mother being mistreated is ten times more likely to harm his female spouse as an adult.
As adults, children who have witnessed or are victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse are most likely to develop health issues. These may include mental health issues, including despair and anxiety. Diabetes, heart disease, low self-esteem, and other issues may also be present.
Q: John Jezzini, do you think children can heal from being witnesses to or victims of domestic violence or abuse?
A: Each child’s reaction to abuse and trauma is unique. Some kids are more resilient, while others are more sensitive. Several factors influence a child’s ability to heal from abuse or trauma, including:
Although children will most likely never forget what they witnessed or faced during the abuse, they may find appropriate strategies to cope with their feelings and memories as they age. The sooner a young child receives assistance, the greater their prospects of growing into a mentally and physically fit adult.
Q: How a parent assist their children in healing after seeing or suffering domestic violence?
A: You may assist your children by:
- Making them feel secure: Children who witness or are victims of domestic abuse must feel secure. Consider if leaving the abusive relationship would make your kid feel safer. Discuss the significance of good connections with your kid.
- Speaking with them about their anxieties: Tell them it’s not their or your fault. Learn how to listen to and speak to your kid about domestic abuse.
- Teaching them about healthy relationships: Help them learn from their abusive experience by discussing what healthy relationships are and are not. This will help them understand what is healthy when they start their love relationships.
- Speaking to them about boundaries: Make it clear to your kid that no one, such as family members, coaches, teachers, or other authority figures, has the right to touch or make them feel uncomfortable. Also, teach your kid that they have no right to touch another person’s body and that if someone tells them to stop, they should cease immediately away.
- Assisting them in locating a dependable support system: In addition to a parent, this may be a school counselor, a therapist, or any trusted adult who can give continuing support. Know that school counselors must disclose domestic violence or abuse if they notice it.
- Getting them professional assistance: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talk therapy or counseling that may benefit children who have seen violence or abuse. CBT is particularly beneficial for children who experience anxiety or other mental health issues as a consequence of the trauma. During CBT, a therapist will work with your kid to change negative ideas into more positive ones. The therapist may also teach your kid healthy strategies to deal with stress.
Your doctor may refer you and your child to a mental health specialist who deals with children subjected to violence or abuse. Most shelters and domestic abuse organizations also include support groups for children. These groups may benefit youngsters by letting them know they aren’t alone and allowing them to process their feelings in a nonjudgmental environment.
Q: Is it best to remain in an abusive relationship than to raise their children as single parents?
Whether they have one or two parents, children flourish in a safe, stable, and loving environment. Your children may be unaffected if they never see the abuse. On the other hand, children may hear abuse, such as screaming and slapping. They may also sense fear and anxiety. Even if your children do not see your mistreatment, the violence they are exposed to may negatively influence them. If you leave an abusive spouse, your children may feel safer and less likely to experience violence as they grow older. You can still protect your children and yourself if you do not leave.
Q: What are your last words, John Jezzini?
A: John jezzini The terrible effects of child abuse on a child’s mental health might interfere with the child’s ability to learn to write and read. Even yet, here at Jezzini Learning Center, we collaborate with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address the issue of domestic violence, which jeopardizes children’s health and safety. This is the best option to make sure that every kid is protected.
Effective laws that protect child education and the right of children should be put in place, and anyone found guilty of denying children their right to live normally as other children should face the penalty.
As mentioned earlier, children thrive in comfortable environments, and every child is expected to feel safe in society and at home, knowing fully well that society has their best interest at heart; This gives children the morale to excel in school.
