Effects of Domestic Violence

Children and Youth exposed to violence in the home are impacted socially, intellectually, behaviourally, emotionally, spiritually and sometimes physically.

 

Exposure to Violence in the home means:

  • Hearing violence
  • Seeing violence
  • Being caught in the middle of violence
  • Learning about violence that is happening
  • Being aware that violence is happening in the home or someone else’s

If you have been exposed to violence at home you may:

  • Act out on your feelings
  • Want to do the best job you can at things
  • Have a hard time paying attention
  • Want to be alone
  • Want to hit or yell.

You may also feel:

  • Angry
  • Sad
  • Fearful or worried
  • Sick (for example: have a stomach ache)
  • Guilty
  • Nothing at all or a combination of the above.

These are all normal reactions to being exposed to violence at home.

Violence Against Children

Children and Youth exposed to Violence Against Women must understand 3 Key Messages:

1. Violence Is NOT Okay:

  • It is NOT Okay to hurt people you love.
  • Violence is NOT a “normal” part of a relationship.
  • Violence Against Women is NOT Okay in any culture or religion.

2. It’s NOT your fault:

  • It is never a child or youth’s fault for the violence that is happening in the home

3. You are NOT Alone:

  • Studies show that 3-5 students in every classroom have been exposed to Violence Against Women

 

Domestic Violence Awareness — There is Help

And There Are People Who Can Help You:

  • Talk to a teacher or school counsellor you can trust
  • Talk to another safe adult (family member, neighbour, friend you can trust)
  • Talk to someone who works for your local anti-violence program
  • Talk to a Children Who Witness Abuse Counsellor
  • Call the Kids Help Phone (Toll Free Across Canada): 1-800-668-6868