🧒 THE HIDDEN IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN

​

🚸 A Nationwide Crisis

• 3.3+ million children witness domestic violence annually.

• Up to 60% also experience abuse or neglect.

• 30–60% of domestic violence perpetrators also abuse children.

​

😔 Emotional & Behavioral Fallout

​

Children who witness abuse often show:

• Depression & anxiety

• Suicidal thoughts

• Aggression toward peers

• Substance abuse

• Runaway behavior & prostitution

• Future perpetration or victimization

​

🩹 Physical Danger

• Children often intervene to protect a parent, placing themselves at serious risk of injury or death.

• Nearly 1 in 4 IPV (Intimate partner violence) cases involve a child witness.

​

🧠 Developmental Damage

• Exposure disrupts brain and emotional development.

• Children may view violence as a valid conflict strategy.

• Strong links to future adult abuse, either as victim or perpetrator.

​

🏚 Rural & Underserved Communities

Children in rural areas face added hurdles:

• Geographic isolation

• Lack of transportation

• Under-insurance and poverty

• Limited access to confidential care, support services, and education

​

👩‍👧 Vulnerable Family Dynamics

• Over 50% of abused females have children under 12.

• 50% of abusive fathers also abuse their children.

• Babies without access to home visitation support are 5× more likely to be abused by age 2.

​

👩‍🏫 Dating Violence & Youth Assault

• 43% of college females report violent or abusive dating behavior.

• 25% of middle school girls report dating abuse (8% sexual).

• 1 in 3 teens report physical aggression in dating.

• 67% of sexual assault victims are under age 18.

• 1 in 10 high schoolers report partner-inflicted violence.

• Many victims experience rape before age 18; male victims, often before age 10.

​

📱 Digital Abuse

• 1 in 4 dating teens face tech-based abuse or harassment.

• Victims of digital abuse are:

  • 2× more likely to be physically harmed

  • 2.5× more likely to be psychologically abused

  • 5× more likely to face sexual coercion

• Only 4% experience digital abuse in isolation — tech fuels existing abuse

​

💬 Barriers to Help​

Young people often lack:

• Money

• Transportation

• Trust in adults

• Awareness of resources