Effects of domestic violence and abuse on children

Domestic violence and abuse can affect children physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially. Every child is different and may show some or none of the behaviours listed below:

• bedwetting, stomach aches, headaches
• sleep disturbances, nightmares
• depression, feelings of helplessness and powerlessness
• poor personal hygiene
• tired and lethargic
• desensitisation to pain
• regression in development tasks e.g. thumb sucking
• aggression - out of control behaviour
• difficulty in trusting others
• overachiever or underachiever
• hHolding themselves responsible for the abuse and feeling guilty.

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