Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Youth

Children and youth who are exposed to domestic violence experience emotional, mental, and social damage that can affect their developmental growth. Some children lose the ability to feel empathy for others. Others feel socially isolated, unable to make friends as easily due to social discomfort or confusion over what is acceptable. In order to respond to the overwhelming issues associated with domestic violence, child welfare professionals need to understand these issues and know how to identify them as well as assess and provide treatment to children and youth affected by domestic violence. This section provides information and resources on the impact that domestic violence has on children and youth as well as resources on how to respond it.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Response
University of Albany & Prevent Child Abuse America
Seeks to connect research data and its potential for real-world application to prevent adverse childhood experiences and their consequences through policy and program leadership, community development, and direct practice.

Domestic Violence Resources
The Recovery Village
Offers information about the signs of domestic violence, the connection between substance use and domestic violence, and connects those who have experienced abusive behavior to advocates and services.  

Edleson Revisited: Reviewing Children’s Witnessing of Domestic Violence 15 Years Later
Kimball (2015)
Journal of Family Violence, 31(5)
Highlights the growing understanding of children’s exposure to domestic violence by examining the impact and the cumulative effects of exposure to violence, potential protective factors, and the father-child relationship.

Children and Domestic Violence: How Does Domestic Violence Affect Children? (PDF - 2,660 KB)
Futures Without Violence & The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2014)
Discusses the factors that influence children’s reactions to domestic violence. This resource identifies ways in which to support health and emotional and mental development among children who have been exposed to violence.

Children and Domestic Violence: Managing Challenging Behavior of Children Living With Domestic Violence (PDF - 364 KB)
Futures Without Violence & The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2014)
Examines how exposure to domestic violence affects children’s behavior, including levels of aggression and sleeping patterns.

Responding to the Long-Term Needs of Adult Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Exploring the Connection to Suicide Risk (PDF - 201 KB)
Kimball & Keene (2016)
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Examines the effect of domestic violence across the lifespan, with particular attention paid to mental health and suicidality.

Three Core Concepts in Early Development
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
Provides a three-part video series on how early childhood exposure to toxic stress affects brain structure and socio-cultural development.