Domestic Violence affects children

About 10 million children witness family violence each year. Most critics agree that these children are more likely to grow up and perpetrate violence than other children.

Children who witness family violence experience feelings of being frightened, guilty and ashamed. Toddlers act out by breaking toys. Teenage boys tend to get into fights. Teenage girls withdrawal and internalize their negative feelings. Children of all ages exhibit symptoms of uncontrolled outburst of anger, post-traumatic stress syndrome and problems concentrating in school. They are more likely to be depressed, have anxiety and be violent towards their peers. They are more likely to commit suicide, use drugs and alcohol, runaway and engaged in sexual activities.

Children might feel caught in the middle of both parents. Young men might protect their mothers or start to abuse them their-self. This is why it is important to put children into counseling to teach them nonviolent ways of dealing with their parents' fights and how to escape if needed.

According to one study, 70% of children who witness family violence do not become violent. Instead ecological, psychological, interpersonal and societal issues determine the probability of a child becoming abusive as adults. Family violence may influence a child towards violence but is not the cause. Ultimately the choice is up to that individual.

However, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, "Men who witness domestic violence as children are twice as likely to abuse their children are twice as likely to abuse their own partners, than those who did not witness family violence."