Impacts of Domestic Violence on Children

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Abstract

The focus of the research will be on effects of domestic violence on children with particular attention on those children brought up by intimate partners. Exposing children to domestic violence affects children psychologically, physically and emotionally. Literature suggests that domestic violence has lasting effects on children. This research will focus on children who have reached the school-going age from five years to thirteen years.

Introduction

Purpose of the Study

The study is aimed at researching and finding out the effects of domestic violence on children.

Scope of the Study

This study will focus on domestic violence in families from an intimate partner and how the children are affected by either being victims or witnesses.

The rationale of the Study

When children are exposed to domestic violence, their mental health is negatively affected. These are aspects that affect their ability to feel empathy and make them experience social discomfort. To understand the children’s emotions, forensic psychologists use their expertise to assess and identify the sources of the problem.

The hypothesis of the Question

H1:Domestic violence affects the physical and emotional well-being of children

H2: Forensic psychologists provide wholesome support to children who experience or witness domestic violence

Key Concepts

Domestic violence: the abuse of power occurs when a partner physically or psychologically abuses or dominates the other.

Intimate partner violence: this is sexual, physical, or psychological abuse

Child abuse: this is emotional or physical harm by a caregiver to the child.

Forensic Psychologist: an expert in forensics and psychology.

Literature Review

Children living in an abusive home are more likely to experience social alienation. They are mentally affected and hence find it difficult to relate with others. According to Lloyd, this is an effect that affects their performance in school due to lack of concentration (2018). These children are also anxious because they can relate to the events taking place at home. Therefore, they perform poorly because of anxiety and fear that is directed towards adults, including teachers.

Maltreatment of the children affects them over a long time leading to emotional and psychological effects. The physiological changes are due to the effects on the child’s brain. This leads to the changes that cause emotional stress and depression. According to Mallett and Schall, domestic violence against children is classified as criminal acts under the law (2019). The impacts they have can affect the future and mental stability of the child.

Although domestic violence is known to cause negative impacts on children, there are more cases not being reported. This is primarily due to the intimidation from the perpetrator (Sullivan, 2018). The children are less likely to talk about their experiences at home. Forensic psychologists can help the children understand their emotional trauma and take their witness statements (Korkman et al., 2017). This helps to prosecute the perpetrators successfully.

Research Methods

Population Sample

This research will focus on children who have reached the school-going age from five years to thirteen years. These are the children who are likely to live with the parents and hence experience domestic violence.

Data Collection Procedure

For this study, the primary source of domestic violence data will be the National Coalition against Domestic Violence. Data will be analyzed using different tools such as Excel.

The study will also use meta-analysis to collect data from various primary studies focused on this topic.

Data Analysis

The data obtained will be analyzed using Microsoft excel to find meaningful insights that can be used to support or dispel the research hypotheses.

Results

It is expected that the research will support the null hypothesis of the study. Children have extensive and complex experiences with domestic violence. These vary depending on whether they are experiencing or witnessing the cases of violence. When they are victims of domestic violence, they can be injured. However, they experience mental, physical, and emotional problems. Forensic psychologists play a significant role in enhancing the prosecution of perpetrators of domestic violence. They understand the emotional trauma in children and interpret their fears to come up with a comprehensive witness statement. According to NCADC, one in every fifteen children experience domestic violence. 90% of these children are witnesses (National Coalition against Domestic Violence, n.d).

Conclusion

In conclusion, domestic violence is an act that affects the emotional well-being of children. They are exposed to educational problems and anxiety. The children who witness domestic violence are likely to be less concentrating in the class. The problem is that they lack resources where they can access care. With forensic psychologists, these children can access services to enhance their well-being. They can also be witnesses and help find justice because domestic violence acts are criminal.

References

Korkman, J., Pakkanen, T., &Laajasalo, T. (2017). Child forensic interviewing in Finland: Investigating suspected child abuse at the forensic psychology unit for children and adolescents. In Collaborating against child abuse (pp. 145-164). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/27917/1002082.pdf?sequence=1#page=168

Lloyd, M. (2018). Domestic violence and education: Examining the impact of domestic violence on young children, children, and young people and the potential role of schools. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2094.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02094/full

Mallett, X., &Schall, U. (2019). The psychological and physiological sequel of child maltreatment: A forensic perspective. Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research, 34, 9-12.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0941950019300399

NCADV | National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS

Sullivan, C. M. (2018). Understanding how domestic violence support services promote survivor well-being: A conceptual model. Journal of family violence, 33(2), 123-131. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10896-017-9931-6