Family Violence and the Impact on Children

• Violent behaviour is learned and children who witness violence in the home often become either perpetrators or victims of violence in adulthood
• Children who witness family violence tend not to perform as well as their peers in school, at sports and social interaction
• A large percentage of young offenders charged with crimes against people have been exposed to domestic violence as children
• Children who have witnessed domestic violence have a much greater  chance of having behavioural problems
• Children from violent homes may blame themselves, may have sleep problems, nightmares, stomach and head aches
• Girls may become withdrawn and passive, boys aggressive and bullying.