Impact of Domestic Abuse on Children and Social Work Interventions

This article discusses the impact of domestic abuse on children and the effectiveness of social work interventions. It explores the issues faced by children affected by domestic violence and provides insights into ways to overcome them. The article also highlights the importance of legislation and prevention strategies in safeguarding children from abuse.

Systematic literature
review

TOPIC: “The impact on children affected by domestic abuse and the effectiveness of Social
Work interventions, Age 0-10’’.
INTRODUCTION
Overview of Research
Child abuse is a physical maltreatment of child. It is sexual, psychological and physical
neglect of children mainly through parent. The child abuse may consist any act through partner
that result in actual harm to child and also occur in home, communities, schools and
organisation. In context to this, child abuse is an incident of threatening and controlling
behaviour, abuse and violence among anyone. High rate of the fatal child abuse are among 0-10
years. Children which are exposed to the abuse in home are mainly denied their right to be stable
and safe home environment. Many children are suffering silently. They are exposed to violence
in home and also trusts adults to turn for the comfort and help. Domestic abuse develop negative
impact on mindset of children and they are not able to do anything.
Background of Research
The child abuse is appalling crime against most vulnerable in society. Neglect and abuse
through guardians or parents was associated with young people and children emotional well
being consisting thoughts regarding suicidal ideation and self harm. Domestic abuse is related to
the poor emotional well-being. On the basis of survey, there are around 271, 805 children of 0-10
years which experiencing the emotional abuse from their guardian or parent. To prevent the
children from any abuse or violence, there are some legislations developed by government of
United Kingdom for an instance Children Act 1989, The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Act (CAPTA) and others.
Rationale of Research
The rationale behind conducting an investigation is to know about the issues regarding
the domestic violence on children through and its negative impact on their mindset and lifestyle.
The child abuse is a major issue which children face mainly age group of 0-10 and it affect their
life and not able to talk with any one in comfortable manner. From conducting this research,
issues from rising domestic abuse on 0-10 years children and interventions or ways to overcome
from them. On the other hand, present investigation helps in given the understanding about
children domestic violence. This specific knowledge area is useful to the learner in the

advancement of expertise and the skill base that leads to the growth of the future project as well
as to its success.
Chapter structure of dissertation
It represents the overall structure of dissertation to conducting in systematic manner.
Under this, there are different steps given below:
Chapter 1: Introduction
It is a first part of dissertation that represents overview about the whole dissertation by
develop aim and objectives related to particular subject area. It is the beginning step through
which a researcher will be able to identify the current problems and focus on finding the best
solutions.
Chapter 2: Literature review
This chapter states about the critical analysis on the specific area. It provides answers to
the arisen research questions. This has data inclusion for the different sources like books, articles
web sources, journals and others. It serves as strong foundation for this dissertation to achieve
set goals and targets with a given time period.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
It provides way to conducting an investigation by using different tools and techniques.
This consists different tools and collection techniques and data analysis to develop valid
conclusion. This helps in providing both the reliability and validity of the information gathered.
In this, researcher is responsible for selecting best suitable techniques and method in order to
undertake study successfully.
Chapter 4: Data analysis and interpretation
This is one of the important chapter as it help in systematically analysing collected data
that support in attaining positive and reliable outcomes at the end of the study. It can improve the
possibilities of drawing valid judgement within the research. In this, researcher also develop
various themes to interpret collected data by using secondary sources. As it also provide depth
analysis about the research topic.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation
This chapter play a crucial role in undertaking research activities as it provide summary
of the study. The main focus of this phase of investigation is to evaluate entire activities that
support in measuring the overall effectiveness of the research. On the other side,

recommendation is also provide by researcher after analysing whole section of study. If any kind
of improvement is required within the project than researcher is apply the same to improve
further area in the study.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Domestic abuse affect the victims and the children who get abused. As it also affect
people who is regardless to the gender, class, race and so on. Thus, it is crucial to understand the
challenges and complexities of domestic abuse and at the same time also evaluate the
effectiveness of social work intervention as it is provide wide range of social problems and
populations.
Children domestic abuse
On the basis of Pippa Sargent (2016), Domestic abuse is public health related issue that
impact children and families to tackle historically focused on the support of victim as well as
reducing crime rather than the prevention. Children domestic abuse is any kind of controlling,
violent, bullying, threatening among children. It can seriously harm to children of age group 0-
10. It can happen inside and outside the home, over the phone, social networking sites which use
by children. Now a days, majority of children are affected by domestic violence that put negative
impact over their physical, mental, emotional and social state. Along with this, children who live
in home where there is domestic violence grow up in environment that is totally unpredictable as
it filled with anxiety, tension and also can be dominated by fear. It directly lead to significant
emotional and psychological trauma. Children who are domestic abused can directly affect their
development growth in term of emotional, mental and social as well. Furthermore, some children
lose their ability to feel empathy for other people. In this regards, there some type of domestic
abuse such as emotional, sexual, psychological, physical and so on. As it also includes:
 hitting, pitching or cutting
 Not allow some one leave the home
 Threatening to another family members.
According to Cathryn Hunter (2014), Child abuse and neglect abuse to behaviour through
patents and some other adults that outside conduct norms and also entails sustainable causing
risk to child. Such kind of behaviour many be unintentional and intentional that consists
omission acts. there are some sign of children domestic abuse because it can be difficult to tell to
other if domestic abuse is happing and those who carrying out the same act very weird and
different while other people are around with them. As children might also feel frightened and

confused and keeping the abuse to themselves. Along with this, Sign that a child who has
witnessed domestic abuse can consider:
 Bullying
 Anti-social behaviour
 Anxiety, depression
 Attention seeking
 Bed wetting
 Eating disorders
 Problem in school or trouble learning
As per opinion of Fiona Morrison (2015), Issues of domestic abuse and child contact has
gained more attention. The domestic abuse many be continue following the separation of patents
and also low parental communication. Child abuse is a physical maltreatment of a child that
impact negatively on well being and growth of a children. It is related to any kind of intentional
mistreatment or harm to child under 0-10 years is included as the child abuse. It takes the several
forms that occur at similar time period.
Physical abuse- This type of abuse occurs when child is physically injured or harm
through other person. It means that someone hurts body of child or put the physical danger. The
physical danger consists burns child, holds under water, throw objects at child, ties up child etc.
Sexual abuse- It is related to any kind of sexual activity with child like oral genital
contact, exploitation to child for pornography, fondling etc. It arise when any person touches
child intentionally, kissing in sexual way or other things which hamper the child or feel
uncomfortable.
Medical abuse- This kind of abuse occurs when a person provides false information
regarding illness in child that needs medical attention, unrequired medical care and putting child
at injury risk.
Emotional abuse- This abuse is related to injuring self esteem of child or the emotional
well being. This consists the emotional and verbal assault for an instance berating child rejecting,
ignoring etc. It is behaviour pattern that harm the development of child.
Effects of child domestic abuse
According to Michele Lloyd (2018), The article examines how the domestic abuse impact
on children. The domestic abuse of children result from witnessing the domestic violence in

home where parents are abusing other parents and plays tremendous role in developmental
growth and well being of children that witnessing violence. Children which witness the domestic
violence in home believe that they are blame are 15 times are likely to be child abuse victim. In
United Kingdom, there was a case of 4 year Daniel Pelka who died in year 2012 by starvation
and abuse through mother that experienced domestic violence.
As per opinion of Lorraine Radforda, Susana Corralb, Christine Bradleyc, Helen L.
Fisher (2013), To measure maltreatment prevalence and some other kinds of victimization
between children in United Kingdom. Under this, there has been explore risks of the other
victimization kinds between maltreated children at various ages.
On the basis of Debbie M.Sperry Cathy Spatz Widom (2013) The children can impacted
indirectly through violence occurring in home though hearing or seeking taking place. In this, all
kinds of the neglect and abuse leave the lasting scars. Some of scars might physical but the
emotional scarring has the long lasting impact on life. There are some effects of the domestic
abuse on child:
Lack of relationship and trust difficulties- If child can not trust on parents then no body
can trust on child. Without this, it is complex top learn about trust of people or know about
trustworthy person. This can lead to complexities in maintaining the adulthood relationship. This
can lead to the unhealthy relationship because person do not know regarding the better
relationship.
Trouble in regulating emotions- In this, abuse children domestically can't able to express
the emotions properly. As result, emotions get the stuffed grown and also coming in an
unexpected manner. In regards to this, adult survivors of the child abuse can be struggle with the
unexplained depression, anger.
Future well-being impacted- It has been stated that children which suffered from
domestic abuse are have minimum educational attainment and also suffer from the alcohol and
drug dependency. Mental health complexities and long term physical complexities consisting
depression can be main consequences. Many of the people which commit the serious conduct
suffered from the abuse at the childhood.
Emotional scars- In this, children which feel neglect or suffer abuse pain on inside.
Several children are suffer feeling guilt, low self- esteem and also blaming for abuse. The
children which find it complex to have the trusting experience and the experience bullying.

Children Act 1989
As per viewpoint of Brian Sloan (2015), This act allocates duties to the local authorities,
parents, courts and also of the other agencies in UK to assure that child is safeguarded and
welfare is to be prompted. This centres on idea that the children are cared better for own
families. This makes the provisions when families and parents which don't cooperate with the
statutory bodies. The main purpose of developing this act is welfare of the children, promising
them voice and also considering the well-being. Children Act 1989 contains the public and
private civil law which applicable to children. Private and public law fusion in Act was
accidental largely. In relation to this, goal of Children Act 1989 is to be consolidate the
conflicting, law concerned to child and also emphasise role play the parents and families play to
children. This restricts courts power to commit child to be take care without formal application.
Prevention of child domestic abuse
According to Howard Dubowitz (2020), Preventing the child domestic abuse and neglect
spare pain of child and also suffering psychological and physical. It is morally preferable and
intuitively to intervention after fact. In regards to this, early prevention or intervention may be
effective than the later intervention. Domestic abuse is kind of coercive, controlling and violence
among people. Child abuse develops negative impact on the physical and mental health of
children. It is necessary to prevent or stop the child abuse for their better well being.
As per the opinion of Emine Efe (2017), Child maltreatment is neglect and abuse that
occurs to the children under age of 18. This consists all kinds of the emotional and physical ill
such as negligence, sexual abuse, neglect and other kinds of exploitation which result in harm of
child health. The main goal of preventing child abuse is to fit will with objectives and paediatrics
scope. There are some effective ways given below related to prevention of child domestic abuse:
Recognise signs- Under this, there is a need to identify the signs related to child domestic
abuse. This is complex to identify when child is abuses or the signs not visible to eye. The forms
of domestic abuse are emotional, economic and verbal abuse. In this, children is not likely to be
speak up and suffer in silence.
Provide resources- Under this, giving support classes for the parents, teaching related to
child care and also parenting strategies that helps in support the children and also care. When the
families and parents are equipped with the strategies, skills and support then child abuse can be
minimized.

Support the prevention programs- The intervention occurs after abuse is to be reported.
The more investments are required in conducting programs which have been developed to stop
abuse for an instance home visit and family counselling through nurses. They provides the help
of the newborns and also their parents.
As per the opinion of Humphreys C, Bradbury-Jones C (2015), Safeguarding children
living with the domestic abuse has emerged as main priority across justice, human service sector
and health. This is recognised as social and health issues that has the long term and serious
consequences for child and adult victims.
Effectiveness of Social Work interventions
On the basis of Cathy Lipke (2020), Child protection is myriad of various experiences.
Shocking, joy, scary and sad are some of the situations which can bring more emotions from the
joy to anger. To manage the emotions and situations, supervision is necessary tools. Under this,
social work practitioners have been directly considered in fatal child abuse. Under this, social
workers plays necessary role in the child welfare system through protecting children well being.
They are responsible for various kinds of services which designed to assist children and families
by the various complexities and hardships. Many social workers employed through government
that specialising protection of children should be prepared to face many situations. The social
workers develop program's that servicing
On the basis of Claire Houghton (2015), Perspective of children repositions children as
he active participants in domestic abuse, opposing violence and also recovering from the abuse.
Under this, children's agency and also requirement to empower the children. Right to
participation of children extend to the national policy making related to safety of child.
Literature Gap
With the help of conducting the literature review, I got to know a lot in regards to the
area of child abuse and its impact on their mental and social well being. In this given research,
there has been studied about the concept of child abuse. I was not aware about the types of child
abuse and their consequences. From doing the literature review part, I gain knowledge and
understanding regarding prevention of child abuse by using the social work interventions.

Research Aim
Aim is most important part of the work as described in the general statement under which
a topic is stated in a compact and clear way. The research goal is linked to the overall study aim
and should also be clearly defined. The purpose of an inquiry is to produce both tangible data
and to apply information to accumulation. Researcher is responsible for focusing on set goals
and working with them in a given time period to achieve them. The aim of the research provides
answers to research questions. It's mainly finding out hidden and unfinding truth beforehand.
The aim of this investigation is “To determine impact domestic abuse on children and
the effectiveness of Social Work interventions, Age 0-10’’.
Research Objectives
Research objectives are concerned with straightforward, declarative and summary
concept that provides the study variables under analysis a clear direction. Research objectives
sum up what needs to be done by research. Objectives are unique achievements which
researcher hopes to achieve by research. Researcher can focus on the study with the help of
clearly defining objectives. The research goals are focused on the target already clearly defined.
Research is structured query where an investigator attempts to find a suitable solution to the
problem. The focus of the research objectives is on how variables can be evaluated in order to
identify them effectively or efficiently.
 To understand children domestic abuse and various kinds of child abuse.
 To examine impact of the domestic abuse on children at age of 0-10.
 To determine the effectiveness of Social Work interventions on domestic abuse of 0-10
years children.
 To identify the different ways to prevent children from the domestic abuse.
Research Questions
The research question is answerable in relation to a specific issue. Research questions are
on the basis of set goals, and the researcher's focus is on achieving them within a given period of
time. It is the centre of research project and aids in providing solution to the issues that arise.
This part of study is an important aspect that helps to incorporate literature review component in
the research work, with the help of various authors views or points of view.
 What is children domestic abuse and various kinds of child abuse?

 What is the impact of the domestic abuse on children at age of 0-10?
 What is effectiveness of Social Work interventions on domestic abuse of 0-10 years
children?
 What are different ways to prevent children from the domestic abuse?

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODS
This is the most imperative area of an investigation as it is effective in assisting the overall work
in right manner. This section of investigation is mainly in-consist over choosing the most
appropriate sources that are effective in carry out the work in right manner. An investigation is
mainly of qualitative or quantitative in nature and the selection of based on qualitative research
as in this in-depth information is gathered to reaching at the suitable results. In addition to this,
data collection is an imperative area of investigation in which primary and secondary source are
applicable in gathering valuable information. therefore, the present investigation is based on
analysing the impact on children affected by domestic abuse and the effectiveness of Social
Work interventions, Age 0-10’’. thus this is a wide investigation area in which information is
mainly gathered through secondary aspects like books, journals, published and non-published
research articles and so on.
Name of the
Article
Date of the study Database
searched
Key words used Way of data
collection
‘All Over Now?’
The Ongoing
Relational
Consequences of
Domestic Abuse
through
Children's
Contact
Arrangements.
27/08/15 https://
onlinelibrary.wile
y.com/doi/abs/
10.1002/car.2409
Ongoing
Relational
Consequences,
Domestic abuse,
contact
arrangements,
Low levels of
parental
communication.
The information
is mainly
gathered through
secondary sources
in which
published and non
published
journals and
articles are used
to gather valuable
information.
Young People's
Perspectives on
Participatory
Ethics: Agency,
27/08/15 https://
onlinelibrary.wile
y.com/doi/abs/
10.1002/car.2407
Participatory
Ethics, domestic
abuse, policy
making, surviving
Secondary
sources.

Power and Impact
in Domestic
Abuse Research
and Policy‐
Making
domestic abuse,
Access to power.
Domestic abuse
and safeguarding
children: focus,
response and
intervention
(editorial)
24/04/15 https://
www.safetylit.org
/citations/
index.php?
fuseaction=citatio
ns.viewdetails&ci
tationIds[]=citjou
rnalarticle_57443
3_25
Domestic Abuse,
safeguarding
children,
intervention, child
victims.
Secondary
sources.
Preventing child
abuse and neglect
07/07/17 https://
www.peertechz.c
om/articles/
doi10.17352-
2581-
4265.000028-
anpc.php
child abuse, child
neglect,
prevention,
nurse” in Turkish
and English on
the international
“PubMed”,
“Embase”,
“Ovid”,
“ProQuest”,
“Ebscohost” and
national Turkish
Medical Index.
Secondary
sources.
Preventing Child
Neglect and
23/06/02 https://
pedsinreview.aap
Child neglect,
physical abuse,
Secondary
sources.

Physical Abuse publications.org/
content/23/6/191?
sso=1&sso_redire
ct_count=2&nfsta
tus=401&nftoken
=00000000-0000-
0000-0000-
000000000000&n
fstatusdescription
=ERROR%3A
%20No%20local
%20token&nfstat
us=401&nftoken
=00000000-0000-
0000-0000-
000000000000&n
fstatusdescription
=ERROR
%3a+No+local+t
oken
prevention of
child neglect.
A Social
Worker's thoughts
on child
protection social
work.
2020 https://
www.socialworke
r.com/feature-
articles/practice/
a-social-worker-s-
thoughts-on-
child-protection-
social-work/
Social Worker's,
child protection,
social work.
Secondary
sources.
A public health
prevention
01/04/16 https://
www.nice.org.uk/
Approach related
to public health
Secondary
sources.

approach to
domestic abuse:
the 'Be a Lover
not a Fighter'
campaign in
Cheshire &
Merseyside
sharedlearning/a-
public-health-
prevention-
approach-to-
domestic-abuse-
the-be-a-lover-
not-a-fighter-
campaign-in-
cheshire-
merseyside
prevention,
domestic abuse.
Domestic
Violence and
Education:
Examining the
Impact of
Domestic
Violence on
Young Children,
Children, and
Young People
and the Potential
Role of Schools
13/11/18 https://
www.ncbi.nlm.ni
h.gov/pmc/
articles/
PMC6243007/
domestic
violence,
education, early
childhood,
children, young
people, schools,
teachers, multi-
agency working
Secondary
sources.
Child abuse and
neglect, social
support, and
psychopathology
in adulthood: A
prospective
investigation
06/02/13 https://
www.sciencedire
ct.com/science/
article/abs/pii/
S0145213413000
343
Child abuse and
neglect,
Social support,
Consequences,
Anxiety,
Depression,
Drug use.
Secondary
sources.

The prevalence
and impact of
child
maltreatment and
other types of
victimization in
the UK: Findings
from a population
survey of
caregivers,
children and
young people and
young adults
04/02/13 https://
www.sciencedire
ct.com/science/
article/abs/pii/
S0145213413000
32X
Child
maltreatment,
Sexual abuse,
Child
victimization
Prevalence of
child abuse,
Poly-
victimization
Secondary
sources.
Effects of child
abuse and neglect
for children and
adolescents
01/01/14 https://
aifs.gov.au/cfca/
publications/
effects-child-
abuse-and-
neglect-children-
and-adolescents
Types of abuse
and neglect,
Factors affecting
the consequences
of child abuse and
neglect, Trauma,
stress and the
developing brain,
Attachment and
interpersonal
relationship
problems,
Learning and
developmental
problems.
Secondary
sources.
The Children Act. 01/03/15 https:// Children Act. Secondary

By Ian McEwan www.cambridge.
org/core/
journals/
cambridge-law-
journal/article/
children-act-by-
ian-mcewan-
london-jonathan-
cape-2014-216-
pp-hardback-
1699-isbn-
9780224101998/
A6378CDAFC00
05EF74CC4D814
D2483A2
sources.

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS
Overview of Methodology
Methodology is an important part of a research as this consists knowledge about several
techniques which can mainly used to more accurately collect, analyse and interpret data and
information. It also assists a researcher in successfully reporting the conclusions and at similar
time advises on problems involved in the research field. The methodology of the researcher
provides guidance to the investigator on the measures that must be taken to satisfy the study
requirement. In addition to this, methodology is a theoretical and the systematic analysis of
method which applied to study area. This is one of the specific process that help in conducting
the overall reliability and validity of an investigation. This is system of the methods as well as
principles for conducting something. In general context, methodology is research strategy that
outlines manner under which an investigation is to undertaken among things.
Research methods
Research methods are explained as scientific and systematic procedure of collection of
data, analysis and also interpretation to business issues. Various types of research methods can
be segmented in many categories on the basis of nature of study purpose. The inquiry is carried
out primarily with the aid of two research methods like quantitative and qualitative. Between
them, the investigator will use qualitative research as it makes use of the theoretical framework
to present the knowledge in a simpler, more accessible and more detailed way. This approach
will help to present the information in depth and will also work best with inductive method.
Qualitative and quantitative are two different research methods mention below:
Quantitative method- The quantitative investigation is systematic phenomena research
through collecting the quantifiable data and also performing the statistical techniques. This
gathers the information from potential and existing consumers by using the sampling methods.
Under this, data is produced numerical and analysed by using the statistical and mathematical
methods. The main focus of quantitative investigation method is on the numeric and also
unchanging data rather than the divergent reasoning. It is method of investigation that relies on
measuring the variables using numerical system and statistical techniques. Main objective is to
using this method is to understand, explain and predict nature of the phenomenon by
development of theories and models. Quantitative method consists the surveys and experiments.

This is conducted in social sciences by using statistical method to gather the quantitative data
from research study. In this, investigators and statisticians deploy the mathematical frameworks
that pertain to quantity in question.
Qualitative method- It is a method in which research is conducted through methods
which are open-ended as well as conversational with the customer. This method consist One-to-
One method an interview is conducted with the customer with the researcher asking various type
of questions which can be related to choice, need and demand regarding the products and
services. In Focus Groups, a limited number of people are placed in one group so that they can
raise questions and find answers to them within themselves. In Ethnographic Research they have
to adapt to the environment of the consumer. In Case Study Research, a particular topic is
assigned to them on which they have to do the research on and make a conclusion on the
findings. In Record Keeping, use of reliable documents and data is done to understand the
behaviour of the customer and various other parameters. In Process of observation, observation
technique is used to oversee the nature of consumers and the pattern of their purchases and to see
their needs, demands and requirements to make a product according to them. Quality differences
can be located by using this method. It is an effective as well as a productive method of
conducting a research.
In conducting the present investigation, qualitative research method has been used
because this gives the in-depth and detailed information about the child abuse and its related
terminologies. It is easy to give the specific information regarding specific research area.
Data collection
Data Collection refers as the procedure of gathering and analysing the data on targeted
variables in a well established system which then enables an individual to answer relevant
questions and accurate results. Different data collection methods given below:
Primary method- It is a method of finding the data directly from its source which here
are the potential customers of the organisation. Methods of conducting Primary Research include
Market Research Survey in which a thorough In-Depth research is conducted in the market. In
personal Interview, a direct face-to-face conversation is held with the consumers to better know
their preferences. In Telephone Interviews, survey is conducted on telephone with them. In
Email Survey a survey, link, form or a questionnaire is mailed directly to the customers by
creating a mail list which they need to fill in order to indicate what they want from the company

that is what type of goods they want or the services which they desire. In Online Questionnaires
firms provide forms on their website which can be filled by the consumers to provide their
reviews, feedback and suggestions for improvement in goods or services. Thus, it is the most
effective and efficient way of conducting a research by the concern. It can result in increase in
the sales of product which will lead to a raise in the earnings and profits of the enterprise which
will thereby enable it to become a market leader within a particular period of time.

20