Constant fear and tension

Witnessing or experiencing anger and abusive behavior creates, in many cases, a permanent sense of being afraid, not being able to trust anybody.

Confusion

Living and growing up in a home with violence, many children believe that hitting is a way of dealing with problems. While at school, they are taught that hitting is wrong, and not the appropriate problem solving method.

Despair

Often times children feel somehow responsible for the "fights". At the same time they feel powerless to prevent them, or escape them.

Remoteness

It is common that an abusive parent shuts off the family from the outside world. In such cases children tend to withdraw themselves from friends and other adults; their abilities to socialize and communicate suffer greatly.

Go back to the family violence page