Studies have proven that domestic violence in the house hold is a very serious problem for a child. Approximately forty-five to seventy percent of domestic violence victims in shelters have reported the presence of children witnessing the abuse in their home (Groves, 2001). As the incidence of interpersonal violence grows in our society, so does the need for investigation of the mental, emotional and behavioral consequences produced by exposure to domestic violence, especially in children. Traumatic stress is caused by exposure to events that are so extreme or severe, that they demand extraordinary coping efforts. More than half of the school-age children in domestic violence shelters show clinical levels of anxiety or posttraumatic stress disorder (Groves, 2001). Without treatment, these children are at significant risk for delinquency, substance abuse, school drop-out, and difficulties in their own relationships. Children may show a wide range of reactions to exposure of domestic violence in their home. Younger children (e.g., preschool and kindergarten) often, do not understand the meaning of the abuse they observe and tend to believe that they "must have done something wrong" (Groves, 2001). Self-blame can cause the child to have feelings of guilt, worry, and anxiety. It is important to consider that younger children typically do not have the ability to effectively express their feelings verbally. Consequently, the expression of these emotions is often behavioral. Children may become withdrawn, non-verbal, and exhibit regressed behaviors such as whining (Groves, 2001). This can also result in eating and sleeping difficulty, concentration problems, generalized anxiety, and physical complaints (e.g., headaches).

Domestic violence shows its evil face in many forms beside physical. Domestic violence can include sexual abuse verbal abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, economic abuse, and social abuse. The most common form of domestic violence is physical abuse. Physical abuse takes many forms such as punching, grabbing, kicking, breaking bones, throwing victims against the wall, and burning. Physical abuse also includes damaging household goods and furniture and denial of basic needs, like sleep and nutrition. In some cases, the victim is beaten with objects or threatened with them. The injuries that these victims receive are not always obvious because the abusers usually will hurt them in a place that is covered by clothing. Sexual abuse is sexual intercourse without consent or other unwanted sexual acts. Many men have the thought in there head that since they are married they have the right to unlimited sexual access to their wives. In reality, this is not the case.

EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN

Unlike younger children, the pre-adolescent child typically has greater ability to express negative emotions more effectively. Victims within this age group may show a loss of interest in social activities, low self-concept, withdrawal or avoidance of peer relations, rebelliousness and oppositional-defiant behavior in school (Volpe, 2001). It is also common to observe temper tantrums, irritability, frequent fighting at school, lashing out at objects, and threatening of peers or siblings with violence (Volpe, 2001). Adolescents are at risk of academic failure, school drop-out, delinquency, and substance abuse. Some investigators have suggested that a history of family violence or abuse is the most significant difference between delinquent and non delinquent youth (Volpe, 2001). No child should ever have to witness or be a victim of domestic violence. Not only does it tear the family apart it damages each family member emotionally. Emotional scars last much longer then physical scars.

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