Violence against women and children is a silent social crisis that occurs in most parts of the world. In most cases, it occurs behind closed doors with impunity. It constitutes one of the most commonly occurring human rights violations as well as a pressing public health problem in the world. The problem occurs across all populations regardless of one’s economic, social, political, and cultural background. According to UNICEF estimates, between 20 and 50 percent of women in the world have experienced either physical or sexual violence in their lifetime (Hillis, Mercy, & Saul, 2017). World Health Organization approximates that one in every three women in the world that have experienced at least one form of male violence if they have been in an intimate relationship (Hillis, Mercy, & Saul, 2017). Violence against women has a strong connection with abuse of children. Violence against women has an effect on children. Cases of violence among partners psychologically affect the children and may in some instances extend to them. Children mostly get to witness when their mothers are subjected to acts of violence. When children witness acts of violence perpetrated against their mother, they are also likely to experience violence late in their lives, either as perpetrators or victims.
Impact of Domestic Violence on Children
Most instances of domestic violence on women have a great impact on children who witness them. Adults do not realize the damage they cause to their children when they are involved in intimate-partner violence. The children suffer various impacts that have different ranges of severity and may have long lasting effects. Besides, children who grow in violent homes are also more likely to be victims of child abuse. In most of the cases, children who are not direct victims of domestic violence experience the same problems as children who directly experience child abuse. Children who have been victims of domestic violence are affected in various ways that may include difficulties in learning as well as limited social skills, risky or delinquent behavior, exhibit violent behavior, or suffer from instances of depression or severe anxiety. Children that are in their early year of life are at much more risk compared to those who are old (Mohammad, Shapiro, Wainwright, & Carter, 2015). Besides, children who witness violence in their homes when they are growing up are more likely to be affected by violence when they are adults. Exposing children to violence at home is a denial of their rights to a safe and stable environment. Most of the children living in homes where their mothers are subjected to violence suffer violently while they have little support. Therefore, there is a lot that should be done to help them from the violence and abuse as well as its effects.
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Domestic violence is a global problem that affects people of different cultures and from varying geographical areas. The majority of victims are women although men are also sometimes affected. When domestic violence occurs among adults, children are the main victims. The young children’s risk of becoming victims of violence increase when domestic violence occur in homes that they stay in (Izaguirre & Calvete, 2015). most cases of domestic violence are linked to child abuse. Most children who are victims of domestic violence report cases of domestic violence in their homes. When their parents engage in violence, it often extends to them. There are some children who might opt to move out of their parents’ home thus exposing them to higher risks of violence and abuse. Such families do not have stable relationships hence little attention is given to the children. Other people might take advantage of their situations, and subject them to other forms of violence that include physical and sexual assaults.
Children that are exposed to violence and abuse are exposed to an ever increasing harm of emotional, physical, and social development. Most children that are exposed to violence in their homes experience so much that it may lead to emotional stress and in effect impair their cognitive and sensory growth. The emotional stress may also lead to the development of brain impairments. The children may start displaying behavior changes that include sleep problems, excess irritability, fear of being alone, problems with toilet training, emotional distress, immature behavior, as well as language development (Mohammad, Shapiro, Wainwright, & Carter, 2015). Children at an early age are vulnerable because their brains are not fully developed. It is during this early age that their brains are becoming hard wired for future emotional and physical functioning. Therefore, any bad behaviors that the children are exposed to become imprinted in their brains. Exposure to domestic violence thus threatens the development of the young children.
Children who are still growing and are exposed to instances of violence indicate signs of problems. For example, children who are still attending school may develop problems with school work. They are also likely to indicate poor concentration and focus. Exposing a child to violence or abuse thus puts them at a risk of performing poorly in their studies. They will demonstrate lower reading abilities compared to other children that have been brought up in homes that do not have violence (Izaguirre & Calvete, 2015). Kids that are exposed to violence may also display signs of depression, bed-wetting, psychosomatic illnesses, and suicidal tendencies. When such children become adults, they are at a greater risk of juvenile pregnancy, substance abuse and criminal behavior compared to the children that are raised n homes that do not have violence.
When children are exposed to violence in their early years, there is a high chance of the generation developing a continuous cycle of violence. When young kids live in homes that have domestic violence, they have a high likelihood of becoming either perpetrators or victims later in their lives. A study indicated that rates of abuse were higher among women whose husbands were exposed to violence or abuse when they were growing up (Hillis, Mercy, & Saul, 2017). The husbands become perpetrators because they saw their mothers being abused. The kids become exposed to use of violence in solving issues in interpersonal relationships. They view violence as a necessary tool for gaining dominance against other people in the society. However, not all children who grow up in abusive relationships automatically become violent. There are others that grow into good people after gaining from experience about the danger of violence in relationships.
Conclusion
Violence against women in domestic relationships is closely connected with child violence and abuse. In most instances, children that live in homes that are prone to domestic violence will have the violence and abuse extended to them. The abuse has significant impact on the lives of the young children hence demanding immediate attention. The young kids risk developing emotional stress and in effect impair their cognitive and sensory growth. The emotional stress may also lead to the development of brain impairments. Children also have a high chance of the generation developing a continuous cycle of violence.
References
Hillis, S. D., Mercy, J. A., & Saul, J. R. (2017). The enduring impact of violence against children. Psychology, Health & Medicine , 22 (4), 393-405.
Izaguirre, A., & Calvete, E. (2015). Children who are exposed to intimate partner violence: Interviewing mothers to understand its impact on children. Child abuse & neglect , 48 , 58-67.
Mohammad, E. T., Shapiro, E. R., Wainwright, L. D., & Carter, A. S. (2015). Impacts of family and community violence exposure on child coping and mental health. Journal of abnormal child psychology , 43 (2), 203-215.
