Domestic Violence and Children – Fact Sheet

Behind Closed Doors The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children

Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence- Academic Research and Resource Guide

30 Shocking Domestic Violence Statistics That Remind Us It’s An Epidemic

Books

Mommy’s Black Eye: Children Dealing With Domestic Violence

Ibby’s Feelings

Migrant Community- fact sheet

Ways to help

Early intervention is one of the best ways to counteract the effects of witnessing abuse. Ways to help children who have witnessed domestic abuse include:

• Arrange school age children to receive counseling from professionals at their school, often school counselors.
• Experiment with various types of counseling: play therapy, peer support groups, anger management classes and safety programs to teach kids how to extract themselves from dangerous situations.
• Help children find a loving and supportive adult to introduce to the child and encourage the child to spend as much time regularly with the adult. This may include a trusted family member or community advocate. Family Violence Defense Fund reports that the single most important ingredient to help children heal and develop resiliency is the presence of a loving adult.
• Provide a safe environment that does not include violence in any form after a child has witnessed domestic violence.
• Find ways to discipline that do not involve hitting, name-calling, yelling, or any form of verbally aggressive behavior.
• Help children create a sense of safety by having scheduled routines, such as regular meals and homework times.