Children, Youth and Domestic Violence

Children are often considered the “hidden” victims in families where domestic violence is occurring. Studies have estimated that 3.3 million to 10 million children are witnesses to domestic violence annually. Children, just like their adult caregivers, experience trauma from the physical and verbal abuse transpiring in the home. Furthermore, 30% to 60% of perpetrators of domestic violence also abuse children in the household. Children can demonstrate a variety of problems, due to exposure to domestic violence, inhibiting their personal success in the classroom and other social settings.

There are a number of evidenced based programs like “The Incredible Years” and therapeutic modalities such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Parent Child Interaction Therapy that have been shown to be effective in addressing the needs of children exposed to domestic violence. The major emphases of these programs are increasing a child’s sense of physical and emotional safety, developing self-esteem and stronger social skills, developing respect for others, and fostering a sense of control of one’s life. For more information about childhood exposure to domestic violence, treatment and prevention, please review the links below.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Provides conceptual content, symptoms and evidenced-based interventions to support children affected by exposure to domestic violence. NCTSN is a resource base offering technical assistance and information to professionals and communities seeking to address needs of children and families in the context of trauma including domestic violence, natural disaster, traumatic grief, etc.

Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina 
A statewide agency invested in evidenced-based programming that reduces risks for child maltreatment and supports the strengthening of families through implementation support to communities around North Carolina.

Center for Child and Family Health (CCFH)  
A Durham, North Carolina-based interagency collaborative of specialists providing preventative, diagnostic and treatment services to children and families facing social, emotional and behavioral difficulties.

North Carolina Child Treatment ProNorth Carolina ChildTreatment Programgram
A program tailored to build capacity to serve traumatized children and families by training clinicians to provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions to children and families and sustain roster of county -specific trained clinicians available to treat children affected by sexual abuse and trauma in North Carolina.

Child Welfare Information Gateway - click here for additional link
A federal clearinghouse of research materials, prevention and practices relevant to strengthening families, child welfare, and intersecting issues such as domestic violence and mental health. Website is maintained under the auspice of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services- Administration for Children and Families.

Honor Our Voice

An interactive learning module to increase community awareness of the impact of domestic violence from a child’s perspective at various ages.