Domestic Violence Resulting in Child Abuse - Research Paper

Introduction

Family violence refers to an act that is meant against the normal living of a family. Usually meant to hurt a family member, it includes sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional torture, physical torture to a family member or any other illegal forms. Family violence has devastating effects on every member of the family. Family violence has its roots deeply sank in instilling fear to a family member. Where parents are involved their children are usually affected most.

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Family Violence Resulting in Child Abuse

It is an expectation of every child that at home they will experience a peaceful and secure atmosphere. Children also expect love from their parents. Though, this is not always the case. Family violence is usually a common phenomenon in most families living children with distress and fear as they witness frequent family violence from their parents. From recent statistics records that hundreds of millions of children are always subjects to domestic violence. Due to this exposure, their lives are filled with negative impacts.

Child Abuse in Family Violence

Physical abuse to children- this may result especially when a child is directly hit or pushed as a result of family disagreements "mother and child hit" Fontana (201). Children are always made to suffer physically by their family members (Fontana, 2017). In recently reported cases, children have been physically tortured by their parents to the extent of being hospitalized especially when they are wounded or even being subjected to fierce punishments by their parents (Bhatt, 2015). Sometimes children are used are a stress management tool for parents or guardians who have been involved previously in domestic violence.

Children suffer psychological torture- this results especially when children grow in families with domestic violence. Most children have limited social skills especially during interaction with their friends. They also suffer difficulty in learning and comprehension of a particular instance since their minds are locked in distress and fear. Most of the affected children show extreme violence or even sometimes show weird behaviors which are abnormal. Usually, suffer anxiety and depression" the child has limited social skills" Bhatt (415).

Denial for a peaceful home environment- children who have been subjected to domestic violence either directly or indirectly usually get little support from their parents hence are left to suffer silently without getting help from their parents. These children may need an adult who is trustful enough for them to get comfort and help. They are also left to seek alternatives in order to adopt this ruthless life" the child lacks a peaceful and cool home environment" Bhatt (306).

Permanent health and mental problems- when children are raised within a family with constant violence they grow to cause violence to their families too. Most children may get used to violence to extent of living a chaotic life. It has been observed that most families with violence may have resulted as a result of the earlier growth environments. Since the children did not enjoy a peaceful life at early stages later in their lifetime they may be not able to maintain their relationships "domestic violence results in mental problems ..." Bhatt (270).

Sexual abuse to children as a result of family violence- some resultant outcomes of family violence may involve separation of the parents. This leads to children experiencing little care from their caretakers. From most, reported cases involving rape to children by a family member have their bases built on family violence. Most parents leave their children with little or no care hence the children are left to look for their own. Most children end up being raped or sexually harassed on their way to seeking help from adults "sexual abuse to children as a result of domestic violence" herrenkol (275).

Fear and anxiety to children throughout their life- children who are raised in families with constant violent may always feel insecure, fear for self-expression or even feel unworthy in society. Children may feel they are always wrong especially when their parents take little time to motivate them. Children raised in families with constant fights may lack parental appreciation which may gradually lower their esteem. This effect may not only affect them mentally but also pose some significant challenge in their social relations as seen earlier "anxiety and depression to young children ..." Felliti (201).

Incidences of deaths as a result of family violence- sometimes violence within a family may be intense to a point of causing death. A recently reported case of a father who man -slaughtered the whole family has shown that domestic violence may be attached to deaths. Some children are also tortured to death by their guardians or even left with injuries which later contributes to their deaths "sometimes the victims of domestic violence may suffer to death" Uden (678).

Physical deformities- most pregnant women who have been subjected to torture by their husbands or a family member have given birth to physically challenged children. Some children have been born with mental problems, others with physical needs which may require care throughout their lifetime. This kind of child abuse has been common to most communities across the globe "research shows a number of women victims deliver kids with deformities" Uden (435).

Poor brain growth in infants- emotional stress added to small children as a result of domestic violence how shown impairment in cognitive and sensory growth which has been significant through several behavior changes which include: emotional distress, sleeping difficulties, showing extreme irritability, poor toilet training issues or sometimes fearing being left alone. These significant symptoms may fill up the child mind throughout the development hence posing a problem in future development "young infants may suffer poor brain development" Felliti (395).

Ways of Fighting Against Child Abuse Through Family Violence

Children should know adults who are willing to listen to them and who are more caring in order to avoid distress. The adults in the case study may include teachers, close relatives, or even parents. Their parents should be responsible enough to provide enough care to their children. Adults who usually live with these children should be keen enough to observe any form of anxiety or fear within the children. They should give their support by giving a counseling or mentorship service to them "seeking those adults that can offer them support and care" herrenkol (246).

Awareness should be created to synthesis about children care at home or even at other places. Parents should be advised to play their responsibilities in giving parental care and love to their children. They should serve a great role in appreciating their kids in order to build self-esteem in their kids. Those children who are suffering anxiety should be spoken well too, this will help in creating a happy life full of joy with a sense of acceptance "creating awareness campaigns against domestic violence" herrenkol (247).

Closeness to children living with violent home- adults should stay close to children living with violent homes. They should receive them warmly and always show them a sense of being accepted, this will raise their esteem and promote social participation. Showing the children they are not alone can help them cope better without much stress than those who lack such attendance "adults taking more time being close to them" Bhatt, R. V. (2015)

Any response to the children who have been subjects to domestic violence should take into account the basic models of realistic conversation such as being holistic and comprehensive, the extent of the effect on the child and diverse children needs. Allowing children to travel to new places where they can get support and care or even away from home where there has been frequent violence. Their mothers should be given interventions especially those who have been abused can help the children especially when children needs are taken into account "adults should approach them in a comprehensive and holistic way" herrenkol (608).

Children should always be reminded that domestic violence is not a good practice. This will help them to grow to become good advocates against domestic violence in the future. When they develop a bad attitude about it they will grow to fight against it. Those who grow up to practice violence will see the dangers associated with it and stand a chance to stand against it "educating on the challenges of domestic violence at early stages" Felliti (395).

Conclusion

Family violence as it sounds has grown its intensity to a form of child abuse especially where the key witnesses are children. Children have suffered diverse challenges such as anxiety and fear among others. It is a duty of every adult to stand in and campaign against child abuse.

References

Fontana, V. J. (2017). Somewhere a Child is Crying: Maltreatment--causes and Prevention. New York: Macmillan.

Levendosky, A. A., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2014). Parenting in battered women: The effects of domestic violence on women and their children. Journal of family violence, 16(2), 171-192.

Bhatt, R. V. (2015). Domestic violence and substance abuse. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 63, S25-S31.

Herrenkohl, T. I., Sousa, C., Tajima, E. A., Herrenkohl, R. C., & Moylan, C. A. (2018). The intersection of child abuse and children's exposure to domestic violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 9(2), 84-99.

Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., & Marks, J. S. (2016). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American journal of preventive medicine, 14(4), 245-258.

Yawn, B., Yawn, R., & Uden, D. (2015). American Medical Association diagnostic and treatment guidelines on domestic violence. Archives of Family Medicine, 1, 39.