Children &

Domestic Violence
June2011

www.misd.net

MACOMBINTERMEDIATESCHOOLDISTRICT
44001GarfieldRoad,ClintonTownship,MI480381100586/2283300

BoardofEducation

JohnA.Bozymowski
President
MaxD.McCullough
VicePresident
CharlesC.Milonas,D.D.S.
Treasurer
TheresaJ.Genest
Secretary
EdwardV.Farley
Trustee

Administration

MichaelR.DeVault
Superintendent
Dr.JudithPritchett
AssistantSuperintendent/ChiefAcademicOfficer

InstructionandSpecialProjects
BethAlberti
AssistantSuperintendent,SpecialEducationandStudentServices

WearetheMacombIntermediateSchoolDistrict.

Weexisttoprovideourclientsqualityservice,highcalibersupport,andcuttingedgeleadership.

Ourprimaryclientsarethe21schooldistrictsofMacombCounty.Theyareourmostimportantcustomers
indeed,ourreasonforbeing.

Withinthesedistrictswefocusoureffortsonschoolstaff.Weworktoincreasetheirskillsandcapabilitiesso
theirstudentscanexperiencemoreeffectiveeducationalprograms.

Wealsoservethehandicapped.Infact,wearecommittedtoworkingdirectlywithyoungsterswith
disabilitieswhoresideinMacombCountysschooldistricts.

Andweareinvolvedwiththeeducationalcommunityacrossthecountry.Manyofourstaffmembersare
leadersinstateandnationalprograms.Manyareworkingwithcollegesanduniversities.Stillothersare
exchanginginformationwiththeirprofessionalcolleagues.Alltheseactivitieshaveasinglepurpose:to
identifyanddeveloptechniquesandprogramsthatimprovelearningopportunitiesinMacombCounty.

This booklet was developed and printed in part under a grant awarded by the Michigan State Board of Education, under Part C of IDEA
Amendments of 1997, better known as Early On@ Michigan and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds.
Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) has the legal authority to apply for and receive funds under Part C of IDEA.

TableofContents

Page

Preamble..........................................................................4
Overview........................................................................... 5
EffectsonChildren..................................................................6
CharacteristicBehaviors........................................................... 9
EffectsonFamily................................................................... 10
ServiceCoordinatorConsiderations................................................. 11
OtherImportantThingstoKnow&Remember.....................................11
NationalDomesticViolenceHotline................................................11
HelpfulBooksforChildren........................................................ 12
References..........................................................................12
Acknowledgements..................................................................13

Preamble

Thistoolkitwascreatedforchildrenwhohavewitnesseddomesticviolence.We
hopethattheinformationprovidedinthistoolkitwillhelpfamiliesandpeople
whoworkwiththesefamiliestohaveabetterunderstandingofthesechildren
andhowtheycopewithdomesticviolence.

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ChildrenWhoWitnessDomesticViolencePage4

Overview

Researchindicateschildrenexposedtodomesticviolenceareatanincreasedrisk
ofbeingabusedorneglectedthemselves.TheU.S.DepartmentofHealthand
HumanServicesestimatesthatapproximately3.3to10millionchildrenwitness
theabuseofaparentorcaregivereachyear.Theexperienceoffamilyviolence
canbeamongthemostdisturbingforchildrenbecausebothvictimsand
aggressorsaretheadultswhocareforthemandwhoaremostcloselyattached
tothem.Formanyofthesechildren,violenceinterruptstheirexperienceof
consistentsafetyandcare,andcreatesanenvironmentofuncertaintyand
helplessness.

Childrenwhoareexposedtodomesticviolence,especiallyrepeatedincidentsof
violence,areatriskformanydifficulties,bothimmediatelyandinthefuture.
Theseincludeproblemswithsleeping,eatingandotherbasicbodilyfunctions;
depression,aggressiveness,anxietyandotherproblemsinregulatingemotions;
difficultieswithfamilyandpeerrelationships;andproblemswithattention,
concentrationandschoolperformance.

Inordertominimizetheriskoflongtermdamage,childwitnessestodomestic
violenceneedthesafetyandsecurityoftheirenvironmenttoberestored.
Childrenexposedtodomesticviolencealsoneedsupportfromtheadultsaround
them,mostimportantlytheirownparentsorotherprimarycaregivers.Health
careworkers,lawenforcementofficers,educators,anddomesticabuseandchild
welfareorganizationworkersallplayoverlappingrolesinthepreventionand
interventionofcasesofharmfuldomesticviolence.

Statistics

Eachyearanestimated3.3millionchildrenareexposedtoviolenceagainst
theirmothersorfemalecaretakersbyfamilymembers.(American
PsychologicalAssociation,ViolenceandtheFamily:ReportoftheAPA
PresidentialTaskForceonViolenceandtheFamily,1996)
Studiesshowthatchildabuseoccursin30to60percentoffamilyviolence
casesthatinvolvefamilieswithchildren.(J.L.Edleson,"Theoverlapbetween
childmaltreatmentandwomanbattering."ViolenceAgainstWomen,
February,1999.)
Asurveyof6,000Americanfamiliesfoundthat50percentofmenwho
assaulttheirwives,alsoabusetheirchildren.(Pagelow,"TheForgotten
Victims:ChildrenofDomesticViolence,"1989)

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Researchshowsthat80to90percentofchildrenlivinginhomeswherethere
isdomesticviolenceareawareoftheviolence.(Pagelow,"Effectsof
DomesticViolenceonChildren,"MediationQuarterly,1990)
Anumberonepredictorofchildabuseiswomanabuse.(StarkandFlitcraft,
"WomenatRisk:AFeministPerspectiveonChildAbuse,"International
JournalofHealthServices,1988)
Themoreseveretheabuseofthemother,theworsethechildabuse.
(Bowker,Arbitell,andMcFerron,"OntheRelationshipBetweenWifeBeating
andChildAbuse,"PerspectivesonWifeAbuse,1988)
Some80percentofchildfatalitieswithinthefamilyareattributableto
fathersorfathersurrogates.(Bergman,LarsenandMueller,"Changing
SpectrumofSeriousChildAbuse,"Pediatrics,1986)
Infamilieswherethemotherisassaultedbythefather,daughtersareatrisk
ofsexualabuse6.51timesgreaterthangirlsinnonabusivefamilies(Bowker,
ArbitellandMcFerron,1988)
Achild'sexposuretothefatherabusingthemotheristhestrongestriskfact
fortransmittingviolentbehaviorfromonegenerationtothenext(American
PsychologicalAssociation,ViolenceandtheFamily:ReportoftheAPA
PresidentialTaskForceonViolenceandtheFamily,1996)
Malechildrenwhowitnesstheabuseofmothersbyfathersaremorelikely
tobecomemenwhobatterinadulthoodthanthosemalechildrenfrom
homesfreeofviolence(RosenbaumandO'Leary,"Children:TheUnintended
VictimsofMaritalViolence,"AmericanJournalofOrthopsychiatry,1981)
Olderchildrenarefrequentlyassaultedwhentheyintervenetodefendor
protecttheirmothers.(HilbermanandMunson,"SixtyBatteredWomen,"
Victimology:AnInternationalJournal,197778)
Ina36monthstudyof146children,ages1117whocamefromhomes
wheretherewasdomesticviolence,allsonsovertheageof14attemptedto
protecttheirmothersfromattacks.Some62percentwereinjuredinthe
process.(Roy,1988)

EffectsonChildren

Domesticviolenceaffectseverymemberofthefamilylivinginthehome,
includingthechildren.Familyviolencecreatesahomeenvironmentwhere
childrenliveinconstantfear.Childrenwhowitnessfamilyviolenceareaffected
inwayssimilartothosewhoarephysicallyabusedandareoftenunableto
establishnurturingbondswitheitherparent.Childrenlivinginviolenthomes
arealsoatgreaterriskforabuseandneglect.Statisticsshowthatover3million
childrenwitnessviolenceintheirhomeeachyear.Thosewhoseeandhear
violenceinthehomesufferphysicallyandemotionally.

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ChildrenWhoWitnessDomesticViolencePage6


Childrenwholivewithdomesticviolencefaceincreasedrisks:theriskof
exposuretotraumaticevents,theriskofneglect,theriskofbeingdirectly
abused,andtheriskoflosingoneorbothoftheirparents.Allofthesemaylead
tonegativeoutcomesforchildrenandmayaffecttheirwellbeing,safety,and
stability.Children'srisklevelsandreactionstodomesticviolenceexistona
continuumwheresomechildrendemonstrateenormousresiliencywhileothers
showsignsofsignificantmaladaptiveadjustment.Protectivefactors,suchas
socialcompetence,intelligence,highselfesteem,outgoingtemperament,strong
siblingandpeerrelationships,andasupportiverelationshipwithanadult,can
helpprotectchildrenfromtheadverseaffectsofexposuretodomesticviolence.

InfantsandToddlers

Infantsandsmallchildrenwhoareexposedtoviolenceinthehome
experiencesomuchaddedemotionalstressthatitcanharmthe
developmentoftheirbrainsandimpaircognitiveandsensorygrowth.
Behaviorchangescanincludeexcessiveirritability,sleepproblems,
emotionaldistress,fearofbeingalone,immaturebehavior,andproblems
withtoilettrainingandlanguagedevelopment.Atanearlyage,achilds
brainisbecominghardwiredforlaterphysicalandemotional
functioning.Exposuretodomesticviolencethreatensthatdevelopment.
(UNICEF,2006).

Agespecificindicatorsforinfantsinclude:

Basicneedforattachmentisdisrupted
Routinesaroundfeeding/sleepingaredisturbed
Injurieswhile"caughtinthecrossfire"
Irritabilityorinconsolablecrying
Frequentillness
Difficultysleeping
Diarrhea
Developmentaldelays
Lackofresponsiveness
http://www.acadv.org/children.html

PreschoolersandSchoolagechildren

Astheygrow,childrenwhoareexposedtoviolencemaycontinuetoshow
signsofproblems.Primaryschoolagechildrenmayhavemoretroublewith
schoolwork,andshowpoorconcentrationandfocus.Theytendnottodoas
wellinschool.Inonestudy,fortypercenthadlowerreadingabilitiesthan
childrenfromnonviolenthomes.Personalityandbehavioralproblems

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amongchildrenexposedtoviolenceinthehomecantaketheformsof
psychosomaticillnesses,depression,suicidaltendencies,andbedwetting
(UNICEF,2006).Somestudiessuggestsocialdevelopmentisalsodamaged.
Somechildrenlosetheabilitytofeelempathyforothers.Othersfeelsocially
isolated,unabletomakefriendsaseasilyduetosocialdiscomfortor
confusionoverwhatisacceptable.Manystudieshavenotedthatchildren
fromviolenthomesexhibitsignsofmoreaggressivebehavior,suchas
bullying,andareuptothreetimesmorelikelytobeinvolvedinfighting
(UNICEF,2006).

Agespecificindicatorsfortheschoolagedchildinclude:

Preschool
Somaticorpsychosomaticcomplaints
Regression
Irritability
Fearfulofbeingalone
Extremeseparationanxiety
Developmentaldelays
Sympathetictowardmother

ElementaryAge
Vacillatebetweenbeingeagertopleaseandbeinghostile
Verbalabouthomelife
Developmentaldelays
Externalizedbehaviorproblems
Inadequatesocialskilldevelopment
Genderrolemodelingcreatesconflict/confusion
http://www.acadv.org/children.html

Teenagers

Teensfacethesameissuesasyoungerchildreninanabusivefamily,namely
feelinglonelyandisolated,growinguptoofast,behaviorproblems,stress
relatedmedicalandmentalhealthproblems,andschool
problems.Teenagersarealsofacedwithenteringintothedatingworldfor
thefirsttime.Theyareformulatingtheirowntheoriesaboutrelationships,
andsomemaynothavethebestmodelsonwhichtobaseahealthy
relationship.Theyhavewitnessedthecycleofviolencewiththeabuse,
apologiesfromtheperpetrator,tensionsbuildingandmore
abuse.Unfortunately,someteenagersmaybefacedwithahigherriskof
beingvictimsofdatingviolenceandasmentionedearlier,endingupin
violentrelationshipsasadultseitherasvictimsorabusers.

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Agespecificindicatorsforteensinclude:

Preadolescence
Behaviorproblemsbecomemoreserious
Increasedinternalizedbehaviordifficulties:depression,isolation,
withdrawal
Emotionaldifficulties:shame,fear,confusion,rage
Poorsocialskills
Developmentaldelays
Protectionofmother,seesheras"weak"
Guarded/secretiveaboutfamily

Adolescence
Internalizedandexternalizedbehaviorproblemscanbecome
extremeanddangerous:drug/alcohol,truancy,gangs,sexual
actingout,pregnancy,runaway,suicidal
Datingrelationshipsmayreflectviolencelearnedorwitnessedin
thehome
http://www.acadv.org/children.html

CharacteristicBehaviorsofChildrenwhoExperienceFamily
Violence

Therearesomebehaviorscommonlyfoundinchildrenwhoarerearedin
familieswithviolentinteractionpatterns.Theyinclude:

Rolereversal:Oftenanolderchildisforcedtoacceptresponsibilitiesforcareof
youngersiblingsandofthehouseholdduetotheparents'inabilitytofulfillthese
functions.Thischildmayneverhavehadtheopportunitytoparticipatein
normalchildhoodactivities.

Aggressivebehavior:Someofthesechildrenmayactinanaggressivemannerat
homeandinschool,towardothersiblings,children,animals,andadults.This
behaviormayalsoincludedestructionofpropertyandtheft.

Violencetowardparents:Whenthesechildrenbecomeadolescentsoradults,
theymayturnontheirparents.

Runningaway:Olderchildrenmayrunaway,perceivingthisastheironly
alternativeforescapinganunbearablehomesituation.

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Truancy:Thesechildrenoftenfailtoattendschool.Theymaybelievethatif
theystayhometheirpresencewillkeepthefightingundercontrol,orthatpeers
willrecognizetheirphysicalandemotionaldeprivation.

Shy,withdrawnbehavior:Thesechildrenmaynotinteractwithothers.Asthis
behaviorseldomattractsattention,thesechildrenmaynotbeidentifiedas
trouble.

Otherbehaviorindicatorsmayinclude:
Overlycompliant,overlyadaptive,passive,undemanding,avoidanceof
conflict,clingy,excessiveselfcontrol.

Extendedaggression,demanding,rageful,biting,destroysproperty,
tempertantrums,shortattentionspan,lying.

Sociallywithdrawn,timid,depressed,socialwariness,inhibited,vacant
stares,lackofcuriosity,excessivefantasies,poorpeerrelationships,fear
ofaparticularperson,excessivefears,attemptedsuicide,excessivefear
ofpunishment,feelsdeservingofpunishment.

Developmentalarrest,delaysinphysical,cognitive,socialoremotional
development,speechdisorders,infantilebehavior.
T

http://www.domesticviolenceservices.com/violenceeffectsonchildren.html

EffectsonFamily

PerpetuatingtheCycleofFamilyViolence
Violenceisapatternoflearnedbehavior.Thereisarealdangerthatchildren
willlearnaggressionbyexposureandobservation,andthatitwillbecomepart
oftheirpatternofbehavior.Researchstudies,childabuseliteratureandfamily
theoristsindicatethatviolentpatternsofbehavioraretransmittedfrom
generationtogeneration.Thisrepetitionmaybeduetothefailuretolearn
otherstressresponseswithinthefamily.Findingshavesuggestedthatabused
childrenoftenbecomeabusiveparentsandabusivespouses.Childrenwho
observedtheirparentsorothersignificantadultsengageinphysicalviolence
oftenlearnthesebehaviorsandreenactthemwhentheybecomeadults.In
addition,manyadultswhoabusetheirspouseswereabusedaschildrenand/or
observedphysicalviolencebetweentheirparents.

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ServiceCoordinatorConsiderations

Childrencanreacttotheirenvironmentinmanydifferentwaysandtheir
reactioncanvarydependinguponageorsex.However,mostchildrenexposed
todomesticviolence,regardlessofanyvariables,sufferfromemotional,
behavioral,social,andphysicaldisturbancesthatcanaffecttheirgrowthand
development.

Asservicecoordinatorsandserviceproviders,wecanbeawareofwhatthechild
hasexperienced.Ourjobcontinuestobetosupportthebondsandattachment
betweenthechildandtheprimarycaregiver.Weneedtocontinuetoconnect
thefamilywithcommunityresourcesavailableforboththeadultandthechild
victim.

OtherImportantThingstoKnowandRemember

Werecommendparentsseekassistancefortheirchildfromaphysician
orfamilycounselingagencywhenthechildsbehavior:

isphysicallyharmfultothechildorothers(e.g.,cuttingown
clotheswithscissors,layingdownonstreet,etc.)
isintenseenoughtointerferewiththechildsdaytoday
adjustmentintheprogram
doesnotrespondtobasicchildguidancestrategies
persistsovertime(3to6weeks)

NATIONALDOMESTICVIOLENCEHOTLINE
1800799SAFE(7233)or18007873224(TDD)

Trainedcounselorsprovidecrisisintervention,referralstolocalservice
providersforvictimsofdomesticviolenceandthosecallingontheirbehalf,
andinformationorsupportinmanylanguages
CounselorsanswereverycallinbothEnglishandSpanish
Translatorsareavailablefor139languages
CrisisinterventionandreferralstotheDeafthroughtheTDDline
ForadditionalinformationabouttheservicesprovidedbythisHOTLINEvisit
thefollowingwebsite:www.ndvh.org

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HelpfulChildren'sBooks

BraveBartbyCarolineSheppard
JessicaandtheWolfbyTedLobby
WhenI'mAfraidbyBarbaraGardiner
WhenSophieGetsAngryReally,ReallyAngrybyMollyBang
ToughBorisbyMemFox
WhatIfItNeverStopsRainingbyNancyCarlson
TheWayIFeelbyJananCain
TheFeelGoodBookbyToddParr

Conclusion

AsEarlyOnservicecoordinatorsandserviceproviders,wewillencounter
childrenwhohaveexperienceddomesticviolence.Ourpassion,compassionand
concernforthefamilywillbethebesttoolswecanoffer.

References

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domesticviolence.cfm
http://www.nccev.org/violence/domestic.html
http://www.domesticviolenceservices.com/violenceeffectsonchildren.html
http://www.acadv.org/children.html

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Acknowledgements

Thistoolkitwasdevelopedwithfundingfromthe
AmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentActof2009.

TheprinciplecompilersareSaraNelsonandAmeliaSchohl,
MacombIntermediateSchoolDistrict.

JulieLagos,EarlyOnFamilyLiaison,Editor
AnneDallaire,EarlyOnCoordinator,Editor

TheEarlyOnMacombTeamacknowledgesBethAlberti,AssistantSuperintendent
forSpecialEducationandStudentServicesandDr.LynnFontanive,
DirectorofPreschoolandAssessmentCenterServicesfortheirfullsupport
ofthisproject.

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