Domestic violence leaves a long-lasting effect on children’s mental health. It can affect their emotional well-being and relationship stability in the future.

How does familial conflict or domestic violence affect children?

Children in homes where one parent is abused may feel fearful and anxious. They may always be on guard, wondering when the next violent event will happen.

How Does Familial Conflict Or Domestic Violence Affect Children?

Overview

Around 28 percent of women have experienced some sort of domestic violence in Pakistan. These figures are of reported cases only. The vast majority of the cases go unreported and the chain of domestic violence never breaks.

The emotional effects of domestic violence and abuse on children can be devastating. Children in homes where one parent is abused may feel fearful and anxious. They may always be on guard, wondering when the next violent event will happen. This can cause them to react in different ways, depending on their age: 
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different ways

Children In Preschool: Young children who witness intimate-partner violence may start doing things they used to do when they were younger, such as bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, increased crying, and whining. They may also develop difficulty falling or staying asleep; show signs of terror, such as stuttering or hiding, and show signs of<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/anxiety"> severe separation anxiety</a>. 
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School-aged Children: Children in this age range may feel guilty about the abuse and blame themselves for it. Domestic violence and abuse hurts children&rsquo;s self-esteem. They may not participate in school activities or get good grades, have fewer friends than others, and get into trouble more often. They also may have a lot of headaches and stomach aches.

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Teens: who witness abuse may act out in negative ways, such as fighting with family members or skipping school. They may also engage in risky behaviours, such as having unprotected sex and using alcohol or drugs. They may have low self-esteem and have trouble making friends. They may start fights or bully others and are more likely to get in trouble with the law. This type of behaviour is more common in teen boys who are abused in childhood than in teen girls. Girls are more likely to be withdrawn and to experience depression. 
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Long-term impact

The effects of this abuse can be devastating for children and for society as a whole. Children who witness or are victims of abuse are at higher risk for health problems as adults. These can include mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They may also include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, poor self-esteem, and other problems.

Children who grow up in homes where there is conflict or domestic violence are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults by entering into abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves. For example, a boy who sees his mother being abused is 10 times more likely to abuse his female partner as an adult. A girl who grows up in a home where her father abuses her mother is more than six times as likely to be sexually abused as a girl than who grows up in a non-abusive home.

Conflict or domestic violence also affects children&rsquo;s cognitive development: they may have trouble concentrating in school; they may perform poorly on tests; they may have trouble following directions; they may have trouble forming friendships with their peers; and they may be prone to depression and anxiety disorders later on in life. 
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Basic Parameters For Help: Witnessing abuse is a serious problem that can have lasting effects on children and their families. It can also lead to other mental illnesses like PTSD.&nbsp;

Although each child responds differently to abuse and trauma, there are some things that can help children recover from their experiences. These include having:

<ul>
	<li>A good support system or good relationships with trusted adults</li>
	<li>High self-esteem</li>
	<li>It can be hard to know how to talk to your children about domestic violence or abuse. You want to support them and help them feel safe, but you also want them to know that they are not responsible for the violence in their home. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

help a traumatized child

How To Help A Traumatized Child: Here are some steps you can take:

<ul>
	<li>Help them feel safe. Children who witness or experience domestic violence need to feel safe. This safety best comes from one or both of the parents themselves but it is crucial for the child to feel comfortable in their surroundings without having their guard up all the time.</li>
	<li>Talk to them about their fears. Let them know that it&rsquo;s not their fault or your fault. Learn more about how to listen and talk to your child about domestic violence.</li>
	<li>Talk to them about healthy relationships. Help them learn from the abusive experience by talking about what healthy relationships are and are not. This has a massive impact on their outlook on relationships, their ability to judge what is normal and what isn&rsquo;t and avoid any possible toxic traits.</li>
	<li>A reliable support system. In addition to a parent, your child needs more channels to be able to express themselves and to be able to fully communicate and understand what healthy and good connections are like. It is crucial for the child to have a therapist, relative or a friend that they can rely on and open to fully.</li>
</ul>

Pakistan is not alien to oppression and domestic violence. The issue is so severe that in many cases, the victims and their families tend to normalize it since divorce is a taboo. This not just affects the people in the relationship but it contaminates generations. Not taking a step now often means that you will be subjecting someone else to the same experience as you through your children.&nbsp;

Always remember that a divorced woman is better than a dead woman. 
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