For Caregivers
Recognize the Signs
Research and clinical experience indicate that children who are exposed to violence are affected by the event. Many children will develop signs of psychological distress and can be affected in all arenas of development: emotional, social, and cognitive. Being aware of the symptoms and the developmental impact is a step towards advocacy and advancement in the treatment of children exposed to violence.
It is important to help families understand the symptoms of a child’s exposure to violence since it is not always easy to make the connection between a child’s changed behavior and the impact of the events on the child. After all, parents who are victims of domestic violence or parents who have children who have witnessed community violence want to know, just as much as any other parent, that their child is going to be okay. One way to help parents gain this understanding is through a careful and sensitive review of these symptoms. Parents should be told about the impact of witnessing violence on children and reassured that their child’s symptoms are a normal and common reaction. They may also need help in explaining the events to the child. |
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When professionals understand the symptoms associated with children’s exposure to violence, they can mediate the consequences by becoming aware of these effects and intervening to provide a safe environment.
Understanding and recognizing the symptoms and developmental impact can also be important for legal advocates and policy analysts in designing programs and developing public policy.
In the same way that understanding symptoms helps professionals to treat and advocate for children, an understanding of how children’s development may be impacted also influences practice. The healthy development of children depends significantly on their ability to explore the world in the context of nurturing relationships and a safe environment. When children and adolescents feel unsafe, learn that intimidation or violence is an integral part of intimate relationships, or take on responsibilities for which they are not ready, there is a negative impact on their development. Child advocates, parents, pediatricians, and others can work together as a team to understand the ways in which a child’s development has been impacted. Allowing the child to take a “developmental step” backwards, giving the child time to recover or “relearn” those important developmental tasks, and supporting the child as she/he continues growing and learning are all vital contributions that families and professionals can make to the lives of children exposed to violence.
Understanding and recognizing the symptoms and developmental impact can also be important for legal advocates and policy analysts in designing programs and developing public policy.
In the same way that understanding symptoms helps professionals to treat and advocate for children, an understanding of how children’s development may be impacted also influences practice. The healthy development of children depends significantly on their ability to explore the world in the context of nurturing relationships and a safe environment. When children and adolescents feel unsafe, learn that intimidation or violence is an integral part of intimate relationships, or take on responsibilities for which they are not ready, there is a negative impact on their development. Child advocates, parents, pediatricians, and others can work together as a team to understand the ways in which a child’s development has been impacted. Allowing the child to take a “developmental step” backwards, giving the child time to recover or “relearn” those important developmental tasks, and supporting the child as she/he continues growing and learning are all vital contributions that families and professionals can make to the lives of children exposed to violence.
In this section:
- Symptoms of Witnessing Violence: What changes and symptoms are seen in children who witness violence?
