Question
What is the impact of IPV on children?
Answer
Intimate partner violence (IPV) in the home has immediate and lasting effects on children. IPV constitutes many of the adverse childhood experiences that a child may endure. Children exposed to IPV are subject to emotional and physical abuse, emotional and physical neglect, and a plethora of other issues such as mental illness, substance abuse, and incarceration.
Approximately 45 million children will be exposed to violence during childhood and of that 45 million, 90% are direct eyewitnesses of violence. Research indicates that males who batter their wives, batter their children, 30% to 60% of the time, and children who witnessed domestic violence are at an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, aggressive behavior, anxiety, impaired development, difficulty interacting with peers, academic problems, and a higher incidence of substance abuse.
It is also important to note that children who witnessed domestic violence are at an increased risk of dating violence and have a more difficult time with partnerships as well as experience a difficult time with parenting when they get older.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Intimate Partner Violence: The Basics, presented by Katrinna M. Matthews, DSW, MEd, LAPSW.
