A Report on the Effects of Domestic Violence on Children's Lives

This report delves into the multifaceted effects of witnessing domestic violence on children, examining the psychological, emotional, and behavioral consequences. It begins with an introduction defining domestic violence and its impact on children, emphasizing the purpose of the study and the methodology employed, which includes qualitative research methods. The report explores relevant theories such as Social Learning Theory, Attachment Theory, and Trauma Theory, providing a theoretical framework for understanding the effects of violence on children. A literature review synthesizes existing research on topics such as the impact of witnessing violence, child development, experiences of growing up with domestic violence, and both short-term and long-term effects. The discussion section highlights strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future research, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic. The report aims to enhance the understanding of the conditions of children who are victims of domestic violence.

THE EFFECTS THAT
WITNESSING DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE HAS ON
CHILDREN

Table of Contents
CHAPTER-1....................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Purpose...................................................................................................................................1
Methodology:.........................................................................................................................2
Aims-......................................................................................................................................4
Objectives-..............................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER-2....................................................................................................................................5
THEORIES......................................................................................................................................5
Social learning theory:............................................................................................................5
Attachment Theory.................................................................................................................6
Trauma theory........................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER-3....................................................................................................................................9
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................9
Witnessing domestic violence as a child................................................................................9
Impact of witnessing violence on the child development between 14-17 years of age.......11
Experiences of growing up with domestic violence.............................................................12
Short term and long term effects of witnessing violence on children..................................14
CHAPTER-4..................................................................................................................................16
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................16
Strength:...............................................................................................................................17
Limitations:...........................................................................................................................18
Recommendations:...............................................................................................................19
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................20

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
According to Herman, Violence can be defined as, “use of physical force intentionally
against on someone or a group or person that result either in injury, death or psychological
harm”. Violent acts can be physical, sexual, psychological and emotional. Its causes are
complex and can occur at different levels. Domestic violence plays a tremendous role on
developmental growth and mental stability of children who witnessing the same (Calvete and
Orue, 2013). It involves violence against children, parents, elders and persons live in domestic
setting. It takes a number of forms like mental, verbal, physical, economical, religious and sexual
abuse. An effect of this type of violence on children comes from home, where parents used to
abuse each other. Children who witness it in home, normally believes that they are to be blamed
much, living in fear state as much more than twenty times more like to be victims of child abuse
as stated by Kimball (2016). They can suffer a lot of physical symptoms along with their
behavioural and emotional state of condition. This present report has been prepared on this
which shows how domestic violence impact on children's behaviour and future of them. It has
also discussed here about category of violence and theoretical perspectives which creates much
effects on child.
Purpose
The purpose of choosing this topic “Domestic violence and its effects on children”, is to
enhance conditions of children who are victims. Domestic violence is a devastating issue which
affects individuals around the world (Cisler and et. al., 2012). Children suffer emotional and
psychological harm from impact of living in an area where there is domestic violence growing
up. A researcher has concluded that more than 5 million children between ages of 3-18 are at risk
of exposure to this type of violence every year. Government of the UK, statistically say that
almost 90% of domestic violence cases involve female victims by their male partners (DeHart
and Moran, 2015). So, children of these females also face violence at home. They become
fearful, anxious, unsecure, worthless and powerless. These children always starved for attention,
affection and approval as well as become physically, emotionally and psychologically. As stated
by Itzin, impact of domestic violence on children creates:-
 Aggression, hyperactivity
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 Poor concentration
 Low self-esteem
 Spaced out
 Depression
 Emotionless, etc.
Therefore, main motive to choose this topic is to describe how children and youth are
exposed to domestic violence, the way by which they experience emotional, mental and social
damage (Cleaver and Unell, 2011). In this research, it has also described some problems that
affect children which can be grouped into following categories-
 Behavioural and emotional functioning
 Cognitive functioning and attitudes
 Physical functioning Long term effects
Methodology:
(i)Type of investigation: In order to carry out a research successfully, investigator must
use an appropriate technique. Investigation can be done on a topic in various ways, mainly two
of them are- qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research is used to gain an understanding of
reason behind a topic, opinions and motivations whereas quantitative ones quantifies the problem
by generating numerical data which can be transformed into usable statistics. In qualitative
research data's and information are gather in non numerical form thus give open ended solution
to researcher (Deb and Walsh, 2012). This present report has been investigated on basis of
qualitative method. Aim of this research is to gather an in-depth understanding of human
behaviour and reasons that governs the same. Methods used in this type of investigation are-
interview that may be structured, semi-structured or unstructured, group discussion,
observations, texts, pictures or other materials.
(ii)Research design: It is a set of methods which refers to overall strategy that a
researcher choose to integrate components of the study in a logical way. It represent blueprint for
collection, measurement and analysis of data. It is a framework which has been created to find
solutions of research questions. It can be done in various forms like- descriptive, experimental
and exploratory (DeBoard-Lucas and Grych, 2011). This research design has been taken on
descriptive basis as it provides a data which is flexible and judgemental sampling. In this case of
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study, researcher is mainly concerned with describing the characteristics of an individual or a
group.
(iii)Research Philosophy: It is an important part of research methodology which deals
with the source, nature and development of knowledge in which data should be collected,
analysed and used (Franklin and Kercher, 2012). It can be classified as pragmatism, positivism,
realism and Interpretivistic. Since the present topic is based on in-depth investigation and
qualitative type so, researcher has chosen interpretive type of research philosophy. Interpretive is
a branch of epistemology that focused to the assessment the differences between humans as
social actors i.e. conducting report among people rather than on objects.
(iv)Approaches: Research approach can be divided in three types that are-
 Deductive- It test validity of theories. Thus help to develop research finding in a certain
extent. This theory used when hypothesis is developed already form existing theory. They
start their work with social theory or find compelling and test its implications with
information.
 Inductive- This research approach contributes to the emergence of new theories and
generalization. This approach has usually begins with hypothesis. Researcher has
collecting data's or information and stepping back to get bird's eye view of their data's.
This this theory researcher looks their data's pattern and work out on the theory to explain
pattern.
 Adductive- Research process in this approach is devoted their explanation that starts with
surprising facts. This in theory researcher has collecting data's accordingly to project
needs and wants.
This research has been taken on inductive type in which known premises are used to
generate untestable conclusions. Researcher selecting appropriate research approach accordingly
to their needs and wants and apply them in their research project. Data collected by this approach
is used to explore a physical process, identifying themes and patterns as well as locate these in a
conceptual type of framework. It normally generalize from the specific to general. It does not
involve any hypothesis formulation. Mostly, it starts with questions, purpose and research
objectives which has to achieved during the process.
(v)Data Sampling: It is a statistical analysis technique which is used to select,
manipulate and analyse the data for identifying patterns and trends. Generally it examines the
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large data. Sampling process comprises with defining the population of concern, specifying a set
of events or a frame as well as method use to select it, determine its size and implements the plan
etc. It can be divided in two samples- probabilistic and non-probabilistic. Present research is
based on non-probabilistic sampling method which involves the selection of elements on
assumption basis. It has provided various methodologies like- quota, convenience, purposive and
self-selecting sampling. From which this research is on purposive based sampling where the
units are investigated on judgement of the researcher. It mainly focuses on particular
characteristics of a population that enables to give answer of each research question in a desired
way.
(vi)Data Collection: It is the process of gathering and measuring the desired information.
It is a component of research in all part of a study that includes physical and social sciences,
humanities and business (Gewirtz, DeGarmo and Medhanie, 2011). Data can be collected either
by primary sources or secondary sources. Primary data collected the information using surveys,
experiments or through direct observations which includes various methodologies like
questionnaire, mail or telephonic interviews. On the other hand, secondary data can be obtained
through information collected by censuses like social security and electoral statistics, internet
searches, newspaper, magazine, journals and progress reports. Generally secondary sources
consumes less time as well as cost effectiveness as compared to primary ones. Since this report is
based on original reviews therefore, all data has taken by secondary sources which comes
through literature with the help of newspapers, books, articles, journals and several internal sites
because thus save time and money.
Aims-
“To determine the effects that witnessing Domestic Violence has on children”
Objectives-
 Witnessing domestic violence as a child.
 The Impact of witnessing violence has on child development aged 14-17 years old.
 The experiences of growing up with domestic violence.
 Short term and long term effects that witnessing violence has on children.
Children's are having experience of both long and short term cognitive emotional and
behavioural aspects which are result of domestic violence. Every child is reacting in a very
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different manner towards the trauma while on the other hand some of the children's would be
resilient and they will not experience and kind of negative experience in their ways. The cycle of
violence is known as intergenerational theories and this is the major factor which is considered
while the effects of domestic violence on children.
CHAPTER-2
THEORIES
Social learning theory:
The social theory is related with the theory of social context and learning in which new
concepts and ideas are developed by watching the observations of other people and also making
other behave in the similar ways as it was reflecting to them. Learning is defined as the cognitive
process that are always appearing in the social context and these are always based on the
observations of the people or the direct instructions which are gathered from them on the basis of
analysing the behaviour of others. There is direct reinforcement among people so that they will
know and analyse the behaviour of other people at work places. While analysing the behaviour
of other people it is also required to analyse the behavioural aspects of other people by the
rewards and punishment and the overall process is called as vicarious reinforcement. If the
behaviour of employees are noticed everyday and he is appreciated for his behaviour then in this
case he is most likely to be persist and the behaviour is not appreciated and not liked then person
is demotivated and he is will not be able to perform his operations in desired time frames that
have been allotted to them. In the modern theory the behavioural aspects are also governed by
making rules and regulations which employees had to follow in order to make the organisation
achieve success and growth in their overall ventures. The learning theory states that people learn
from the observations of the other they try to make changes in themselves according to the
behaviour of the person who is in front of them and this result in competition at work places.
This theory is called as the bridge between the cognitive learning theories and also behaviourist
theory as it results in giving attention to the overall aspects and motivate people in order to
achieve their assigned goals and targets so they can easily gain growth and success in their
overall business operations.
The human behaviour learning process, where people learn about different concepts by
analysing the behaviours of other persons in order to make them execute their working according
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to the set plans. The social learning theory states that people grow by learning from others and
this is an important factor which helps them to carry put their working in order to achieve
success in their operations. Social learning is linked with making plans in order to make people
grow up in their business ventures thus they can easily adopt the behaviour of others so they can
easily achieve growth and success in their overall business plans and operations. Social learning
theory can be said as a behaviour which a person acquire from observing things in an around the
world. Learning is a long process which goes through out the period of life and it is considered
that a person learns more in context with social backgrounds. In domestic violence observation is
directly linked with a child because what he/she observe apply that in real life. It is based on
rewards and punishment and it depends upon the behaviour of an individual.
Social learning theory is practised so as to develop the cognitive behaviour in a person.
This provides them with a wide range of learning experience through which they can enhance
their knowledge.
Attachment Theory
This theory is also known as psychological model that are linked with analysing the
relationship between short and long term operations among the human beings. This is not a
general theory which is linked with analysing the relationship among peoples. This factor
analyse how human beings are emotionally linked with one another. If the attachments of
persons are hurt then they are demotivated in their business operations and they will not be able
to achieve success in their ventures. There are differences among individuals about how they are
behaving at the work place because each person is different in their working. If the children's are
emotionally attached then it results in sharing all their experiences which are beneficial in order
to attain the objectives. The concept of attachment is beneficial in order to execute personal
development so that person can easily achieve their set goals and targets in effective and planned
ways. The development of personality is related with making plans by which individual can
achieve success in their ventures. If there is attachment then there had to be higher risk of
security and making attachment with one another so that employees can so their assigned work
in effectual and planned ways. The theory of attachment is related with various concepts and
they had emotional attachment with persons so they can easily gain the concept in order to
achieve success in their ventures. If the team members are emotionally attached with one another
then it result in executing the working as it was assigned to them. Domestic violence is related
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with abuse of other children's but if there is any emotional attachment then there will be less
chances of abuse thus the development of the overall economy. The most valuable factor of
attachment theory is linked with developing relations with children's and this in turn is useful for
emotional and social development of persons so that employees can regulate their emotions and
feeling in order to carry out the overall development of children. The relationships are always
sensitive by nature thus they had to be executed to be emotional nature of the persons. The
children's are emotionally attached with one another thus there had to be strong relationship
developed among them in order to fight against any type of issues which are faced by them. The
presences of sensitive are useful in order to develop emotional attachment among different
family members. Attachment are beneficial for social interactions among persons as they can
easily share all the problems which are faced by them and the solutions can be easily identified
in order to resolve them. There is higher attachment in children's thus they are able to easily
communicate their problems with other persons. The attachment theory is described as the most
dominant theory which are used in today's environment so that children can easily share their
thoughts with other in effectual ways. Family make positive environment in their house so kids
grow in healthy environment and cannot face the health related problem in early age or years. As
people grown this kinds of issues have converted into major difficulty thus cannot solve easily
because in old age or after 20 age their perception and attitude toward situation can not change.
Trauma theory
It is a vast field which is studied by philosophers, literary scholars, historians sand
clinicians as well. This basically includes person who faces problems in their personal life this
could be violence or death. In terms of neurological it can be defined as “Traumatic stress or” in
which stimulus thinks more about a particular thing that builds up stress in their mind due to
which their brain they feel various sensations like psychology numbing, or shutting down of
normal human activities. This plays an important role in performance of an individual who
witnesses domestic violence. It have an adverse effect this can unstable the mental state of a
person. This can harm psychologically and physically as well. An individual may lose trust in
relationships and avoid to meet other persons. These problems can be faced by children who are
between the age of 14 to 17 and its affects can be seen in their personnel life.
These scientific theories are based on careful and rational examination of real facts. Facts
are believed as real and origin things while theories are explanation of scientific reasons.
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Therefore, this file is based on facts and theories of domestic violence which majorly impact on
psychology of persons. Therefore, this report has taken three theories of The Socio-psychological
model i.e. Trauma theory, Attachment theory and Socio learning theory. Because domestic
violence creates many changes in behaviour of persons specially on children of 3 to 14 years.
To cope up with these problems there are many organisations who are working on it.
They are guiding them to become emotionally strong and developing their skills so as to face
issues related to trust. According to Domestic Violence & Mental Health Policy, women who
experiences mental health and lack of physical is generally a result of abuse. If a women feels
abusive or faced domestic problems in the environment where she lives than it will brings fear or
threat, unsecure and lack of safety in her mind. Because of which her child also feel the same and
comes either directly or as witness of domestic violence. Trauma theory has begun to be viewed
this as a potential framework which is used to bridge clinical and advocacy perceptive. This
theory helps in de-stigmatize the mental health consequences that result from domestic violence
through recognising person's response to traumas such as interpersonal violence. It also creates a
framework in understanding how biological, emotional and interpersonal effects of abuse can
lead a person's life to future difficulties (Berns, 2017).
According to Goldstein (2013), it has concluded that Children who face the problem or
experience of complex trauma diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Children those
survive with these kind of problem can affect their behaviour thus includes sleep disturbances,
learning disability, low self esteem, unhealthy attachments, aggressive in nature and many more.
These all behavioural directly affected children's life experience. Some important points for
development of these kind of children are:
 Family, community, friends and culture has played important role in development of
children. They create impact on their experience and opportunist. Cultural groups have a
particular value, practices and priorities in themselves which create positive impact on
children mind. This groups help to develop learning’s and skills thus effect behaviour of
the child.
 Development has not done in a straight line or evenly. It is a process which take time
and competing in a systematic or sequential manner. The path of development is some
what predictable.
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 Development has done easily in early age. With the time , its create complication for
implementing development plan in young child. The pace of improvement in behaviour
is more speedy in early age or years as compare to any other time of life.
 At the time of born, children play active role in development of their own behaviour and
create impact on others grounding them.
 Generally, physical and mental health effected children development and behaviour.
The minor illness has created short term effective while chronic health conditions can
effect in long period of time.
Every family want to understand their child needs and wants for developing their positive
behaviour toward situation. For this, they watch kids behaviour and find out the negative points
which help to improve child health. Through this theory, child mental health has improved.
There has been much debate within professional counselling as to most effectual standard of
treating children who suffered from abuse. Counsellor use different types of theories and
methods for treatment of childhood abuse and bad experience in life, as they promoting change
and encouraging better life.
According to Gover (2011) it has concluded that in making child development plan, its
very important to consider or understand that all kids learning behaviour as well as development
level are not same, so accordingly they make strategies and plan of development. Children are
very sensitive in nature so its very important to understand their feeling as well as thinking
toward particular situation. Motivation improve self confidence of kids, so its very important for
a counsellor to understand motivation factors of child and develop positive behaviour
accordingly. Every child different in their nature and personality, so family members are
supporting to counsellor for development of kids nature and positivism personality which
provide help to develop physical as well as mental health of child.
CHAPTER-3
LITERATURE REVIEW
Witnessing domestic violence as a child
The government of the country defines domestic violence as the controlling, coercive and
threatening behaviour upon the intimate partners and individuals in the family. The impact this
abuse can lead to have a psychological, physical and sexual impact on the concerned person. In
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