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The Impact Of Domestic Violence On Children And Young People Introduction ...


THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Introduction
The Nature of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence has been defined as:
a continuum of behaviour ranging from verbal abuse, physical, and sexual assault, to rape and even homicide. The vast majority of such violence, and the most severe and chronic incidents, are perpetrated by men against women and their children.
(Department of Health [DoH] 2000)
In most cases the violence is against women by their partners or spouse and affects children belonging to one or both of them. Children can become victims of domestic violence - either through being directly targeted or witnessing scenes of domestic violence between parents and their partners. At least 750,000 children a year witness violence within the home, and nearly three quarters of children on child protection registers live in households where domestic violence occurs. (Dept of Health, 2003).
Abuse and violence may be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual, and may be constant or spasmodic. Yet domestic violence is experienced by individuals from every class, race, religion and culture the world over (British Medical Association [BMA] 1999).
While severe cases of domestic violence can often lead to women being hospitalised, others remain undetectable to the public eye, leaving women who live in constant fear of their partner or spouse, trying to avoid degradation. A study by Mayhew found that psychological and emotional abuse might be constant whilst the physical violence is intermittent (Mayhew et al 1996). For the child or young person this becomes a way of life - one without stability or security and this can lead to behavioural problems and even crime.
The focus of this essay is on the impact of domestic violence on the lives of children and young people. Research took place in the Hammersmith and Fulham area of London. The main body of research is secondary, from journals, books, and internet sources. The primary research is in the form of 2 sets of questionnaires handed out to 40 people. The first questionnaire uses a design based on a survey done by Doctors from the University of Arizona, which has already proven to be successful and reliable. The questionnaire consists of four questions:
1. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who has hit you, kicked you, slapped you, punched you, or threatened to hurt you?
2. CURRENTLY?
3. When you were pregnant did anyone ever physically hurt you?
4. Are you in a relationship with someone who yells at you, calls you names, or puts you down? (Wahl et al 2004: 25).
The questionnaire was carried out on a random sample of the public. 20 were handed to people outside Fulham Broadway tube station during rush hour. People were only given the form if they said they had children, and were asked to fill it in on their way home from work or when they got back, and were given an sae.


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