Domestic violence cases are some of the most serious crimes that Las Vegas authorities have to deal with on a regular basis. Local police have a lot to deal with, between the various levels of familial disputes turned violent and the alarmingly high number of domestic violence-related homicide cases. There’s also the issue of unreported domestic violence incidents due to a number of factors involving the victims.
While most domestic abuse cases focus on the spouses who take the direct abuse, many experts both in the legal and medical professions have continuously raised concerns regarding the effect of domestic violence on the children who witness such acts. In the long run, the children get roped into the abuse, directly or indirectly, and greater focus has been made on the effects it has on them.
Physical Factors
In many domestic abuse cases, particularly those that have been going on for a long time, children eventually suffer direct abuse from the perpetrator whether or not they were involved in the initial abuse. In some cases it can be spontaneous, while in others it can be a general progression as the abuser aims to exert full control on their family. However, physical effects on children involved in an abusive family are not only limited to direct effects.
A study from the early 2000s discovered that young children who regularly witness domestic violence in the home report frequently experiencing stomach aches, headaches, bed-sores and bed-wetting. The more extreme cases even suffer from extended periods of fatigue, caused mostly by lack of sleep due to hearing or seeing domestic abuse. There are also instances where witnessing domestic violence can lead to extreme weight changes in the long run; it can either be a sudden drop in weight caused by anxiety-induced lack of appetite, or obesity caused by stress-eating.
Emotional Issues
Emotional issues are some of the more-cited factors related to children witnessing and/or experiencing domestic abuse at home. There is an abundance of literature regarding the adverse effects of domestic abuse on children in their formative years, with frequent mention of depression, social anxiety and extreme reluctance to establish and maintain a connection with their peers. Other children who experienced such situations gain temper issues, responding to many situations with anger and other extreme emotions, even for the smallest of incidents.
Psychological experts also cite incidents of role reversal regarding the child and the abused parent. In such situations, the domestic violent victim seeks refuge and counseling in their child, inadvertently turning them into an emotional anchor that helps them endure the abuse. Unfortunately, this can force the child to act way beyond their age, often taking on the jobs that their parent is required to do: housekeeping, taking care of younger siblings, budgeting and even earning a living.
Behavioral Changes
Children witnessing or experiencing domestic violence have a tendency to drastically change their behavior compared to how their peers would act. Younger children who only witness the violence grow up believing that the abuse is a normal part of growing up, and will copy such behavior when interacting with other children or even other adults. It is not unheard of for children to use rough language and physically attack others when they get into arguments.
Teen children may exhibit even more drastic behavioral shifts as the abuse progresses. In many incidents, these teens start skipping school, taking part in fights and other risky activities, experimenting with drugs and sex without proper precautions, and preferring to stay away from home for as often as they can. They sometimes consider running away entirely so that they no longer have to deal with domestic violence at home, though others cope by being secretive or defensive when their homes are discussed with friends or adults at school.
Domestic violence has a serious and adverse effect on children, whether or not they are directly affected by such acts. Continued support from all sectors of society can go a long way in keeping the children safe from the direct effects of such domestic violence.