Domestic Violence Effects Children Too

To contact us Click HERE

By: Molly Rhodes 
Domesticviolence does not stereotype. It touches the homes of millionaires to familieswith Medicaid, leaving scars on the children involved. Each year in the UnitedStates, roughly four million children between the ages of 3-17 are exposed todomestic violence.            Childrenwho witness domestic violence tend to give off negative emotional, physical,and educational responses in their every day live. Research from The NationalCoalition Against Domestic Violence shows that witnessing domestic violencemeans “the child has seen, heard, observed, or been made a aware of the tensionin the home.” This research also stated “roughly 80 percent of children wholive in a home with domestic abuse are aware of the violence.”            Dr.Anna C. Windham, who specializes in children’s therapy and social work,explains the warning signs one can see. “A child can show symptoms of stomachand head pain along with, bedwetting and the loss of ability to concentrate,”said Windham. “The signs of anxiety and short attention span may result in poorschool performance and attendance.”             ElementaryEducation major, Ashley Krone, used to babysit for a family with domesticviolence “When I babysat the little girl, she was always so frightened like shedidn’t know what would happen next,” said Krone. “She would be playing onesecond and then next thing I knew, she would be throwing a temper tantrum. Itwas an eye opening experience.”             Childrenwho have witnessed the violence of domestic abuse react in many different ways.Research shows that sons and daughters react differently.             Astudy done by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Developmentshows that, “a son who has witnessed domestic violence in the home can eitheridentity or disassociate with the abuser. Whereas, the daughter identifies withthe victim and internalizes a need to be rescued and later turns to sexualpromiscuity.”            Dr.Windham went on to explain the details behind the different, possible reactionsof the son. “If the son reacts by identifying with the abuser, he will in turnbecome a bully or become abusive with their significant other.  On the other hand, the son couldbelieve he needs to rescue whomever is in the home,” Windham explained. “Indoing this, they spend their lives believing they must be the rescuer. This cancause an inability to get in touch with ones anger because they believe it isunhealthy. “            TheDepartment of Education at the University of Mississippi has started The ChildAdvocacy and Play Therapy Institute. It is designed to create a safeenvironment for children to express what is going on in the home.            TheInstitute focuses on play therapy and expert witness consultation. Expertwitness consultation uses play therapy techniques as a witness in legal casesinvolving domestic violence.             “Playtherapy is defined as a way for therapists to assess children through theirplay. It allows children to use toys to express their emotions and findsolutions to their problems.” The Institute is geared towards children fromages 2-12. The children are put in playrooms with toys geared towards specificthemes such as aggression, art, or nurture.             “Unlikeadults, children don’t have the language to express what has happened to them.For them, the language is defined by playing and the toys are their words,”explained Program Director, Dr. Laura Crumrine. “By allowing them to play withtoys, they come and share what they need to share without judgment.”             Asdomestic violence numbers continue to rise, children in the Oxford communitynow have a place to express themselves.            TheUniversity of Mississippi division of The Child Advocacy and Play TherapyInstitute was started in August of 2011 and opened its doors to clients thatDecember. As of today, they have roughly 30 clients and are steadily taking intakeseach week.             TheInstitute is currently located in Guyton Hall on the University’s main campus.Plans have been made to move the Institute to Insight Park, by the fall of2012. There, the program can bring in larger play areas for the clients.             “Inthe aftermath of domestic violence, we cannot forget the children,” urged Dr.Crumrine. “Children need to know that there is a safe place to be heard.”