More Menu

Children and Domestic Violence

byPosted at

The goal of this blog post titled "Children and Domestic Violence" is to give the reader a fundamental grasp of how domestic violence affects kids in their households. It also emphasizes the different psychological and behavioral issues that result from domestic abuse when it affects children or when children witness domestic violence.

Content

  1. Introduction
  2. The Potential Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
  3. Parenting when Child Witnessing Domestic Violence
  4. Measures against Domestic Violence
  5. Role of Social Workers and Counsellors
  6. Conclusion

Introduction

A 2006 United Nations report estimates that every year, up to 275 million children worldwide are caught in the crossfire of domestic violence and experience the full effects of a stressful home environment. Violence against children can take many different forms, including sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and physical and psychological harm. The abusers could be parents or other members of the immediate family. Mothers and children are frequently the victims of domestic violence in families, which is typically perpetrated by adult males. According to empirical studies, male to female violence against women occurs overwhelmingly within families. India has acknowledged that its children are the nation's most valuable human resource when they are educated, healthy, and happy and have access to opportunities while defining its vision of progress, development, and fairness. In India, domestic violence is a common occurrence, especially against women and children. The same cannot be stated of the statistics on children, despite their being extensive reports on the breadth and number of women who are subjected to such violence. The government must work to fully comprehend the problem of domestic violence against children and devise effective solutions. This post seeks to comprehend the current situation with regard to domestic abuse and children, particularly in light of the numerous research linking it to psychosocial issues such teenage pregnancies, criminality, and delinquency.

 The Context of Domestic Violence and Children

Children's child to domestic violence can be studied from two perspectives: when children in a family child domestic violence between family members and when children themselves are the victims of domestic violence. Both cause the child to go through certain detrimental psychological and behavioral changes. The two categories are described in further detail below:

Domestic Violence Against Children

Children and teenagers in our society are not immune to the evil of domestic abuse, claims a 2010 article on domestic violence in India (Kumar). In India, there is a great deal of variance in the way it manifests itself in urban and rural locations as well as in upper/middle class and lower class families. It is more private and hidden within the four walls of dwellings in metropolitan areas. Urban dwellers may choose to defy their parents' advice and commands, perform poorly in school or fall behind their peers, argue and argue back with their parents and other family members, etc. Domestic violence against children is also a result of other issues, like not being socially intelligent or as active as their parents expect them to be, verbally insulting their parents or disparaging other family members, and arriving home late.

In rural areas, these factors may include forced child labour, physical harm or abuse for not abiding by family customs, forcing kids to stay home and take care of chores instead of sending them to school, etc. In actuality, rural households experience more severe domestic abuse against girls. The girls are typically cursed and beaten for giving birth in the first place because it is usual in Indian culture to have at least one male child after marriage. Both cities and villages experience this type of abuse, but the latter is where it occurs more frequently. Then there are instances where family members themselves have sexually harassed youngsters as a result of pedophilia. Rape accounted for 67% of female sexual assaults, according to a poll of teenagers and college students. Other types of domestic violence against children include pushing, slapping, punching, stalking, and emotional abuse in addition to sexual assault and rape (Kumar, 2010). However, it is clear that both urban and rural locations exhibit these features. 

Children Witnessing Domestic Violence: 

“Families under stress produce children under stress. If a spouse is being abused and there are children in the home, the children are affected by the abuse" (Ackerman & Pickering, 1989 as cited in California Partnership to end Domestic Violence)
Children see almost three-quarters of violent situations in relationships where there is domestic violence, according to research from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, London (2012). In such situations, about half of the kids have experienced violent abuse themselves. Additionally, these families are more likely to experience emotional and sexual abuse. Children witnessing domestic abuse is more of a result of domestic violence that takes place within families than it is a specific type of domestic violence. Today, domestic violence against women is the main focus in India. Even though this is crucial, India has not done a good enough job of recognizing the fact that children are silent witnesses to domestic violence and as a result experience neglect, psychological abuse, and behavioral problems. There are little statistics on this topic in India, so further research is needed to understand how children are affected by domestic violence in their households.

Relevant Definitions 

It is crucial that we have a thorough understanding of what domestic violence, trauma, and neglect are before delving deeper into the subject of domestic violence and children.

Definition of Domestic Violence:

The concept of domestic violence from the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is being utilized here because there isn't a clear definition of domestic violence against children. Domestic violence is described in this Act's Section 3, which reads as follows: For the purposes of this Act, the respondent's actions, inactions, or conduct shall be considered domestic abuse if they:
  • (a) harms or injures or endangers the health, safety, life, limb or well-being, whether mental or physical, of the aggrieved person or tends to do so and includes causing physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse and economic abuse; or 
  • (b) harasses, harms, injures or endangers the aggrieved person with a view to coerce her or any other person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any dowry or other property or valuable security; or 
  • (c) has the effect of threatening the aggrieved person or any person related to her by any conduct mentioned in clause (a) or clause (b); or 
  • (d) otherwise injures or causes harm, whether physical or mental, to the aggrieved person.

Trauma

Trauma is an emotional reaction to a catastrophic occurrence like an accident, rape, or natural disaster, according to Rowell & Thomley (2013). After an incident, shock and denial are common emotions. Unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea are examples of longer-term effects. Although these emotions are common, some individuals find it difficult to go on with their life and develop post-traumatic stress disorders years after the event. However, psychologists can assist these people in developing healthy coping mechanisms for their emotions.

Neglect

Neglect is the inability of a parent to support their child's growth in one or more of the following areas: health, education, emotional development, nourishment, shelter, and safe living conditions when the parent is in a position to do so. Thus, neglect differs from conditions of poverty in that it can only happen in situations where the family or caregiver has access to acceptable resources (WHO, 2002).

The Potential Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Children who experience or witness domestic violence go through a lot of stress, which can lead to many emotional, behavioral, physical, and social issues. The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence has identified these (2012). The following impacts are listed:
  1. Emotional 
    • Grief for family and personal losses. 
    • Shame, guilt, and self blame. 
    • Confusion about conflicting feelings toward parents. 
    • Fear of abandonment, or expressing emotions, the unknown or personal injury. 
    • Anger. 
    • Depression and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. 
    • Embarrassment. 
  2. Behavioral 
    • Acting out or withdrawing. 
    • Aggressive or passive. 
    • Refusing to go to school. 
    • Care taking; acting as a parent substitute. 
    • Lying to avoid confrontation. 
    • Rigid defenses. 
    • Excessive attention seeking. 
    • Bedwetting and nightmares. 
    • Out of control behavior. 
    • Reduced intellectual competency. 
    • Manipulation, dependency, mood swings. 
  3. Social 
    • Isolation from friends and relatives. 
    • Stormy relationships. 
    • Difficulty in trusting, especially adults. 
    • Poor anger management and problem solving skills. 
    • Excessive social involvement to avoid home. 
    • Passivity with peers or bullying. 
    • Engaged in exploitative relationships as perpetrator or victim. 
  4. Physical 
    • Somatic complaints, headaches and stomachaches. 
    • Nervous, anxious, short attention span. 
    • Tired and lethargic.
    • Frequently ill. 
    • Poor personal hygiene. 
    • Regression in development. 
    • High risk play
    • Self abuse

Age-specific Indicators of Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Every member of the family, including the kids, is impacted by domestic violence. Children who grow up in homes with domestic abuse have a continual state of terror. Even though domestic abuse that is perpetrated directly against a child might take the form of physical or sexual assault or even result in mental trauma for the child, watching domestic abuse also has negative consequences. Compared to children who have not experienced domestic violence, those who have are more likely to face social, emotional, psychological, and/or behavioral issues. They may endure emotional, behavioral, social, and physical changes as a result of the trauma they experience, which may affect their growth and persist into adulthood. Several indicators, some of which are described below (California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, 2012) can be used to measure these effects.

Age-specific Indicators for Identifying Child Victims/Witness of Domestic Violence

Depending on the child's gender and age, children respond to their environment in different ways. A child who has experienced or witnessed domestic violence exhibits certain signs or symptoms. These signs can be used to determine whether a child has experienced or is currently witnessing domestic abuse. Indicators from the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (2012) include:

Infants

  • Basic need for attachment is disrupted. 
  • Routines around feeding/sleeping are disturbed. 
  • Injuries while "caught in the crossfire". 
  • Irritability or inconsolable crying. 
  • Frequent illness. 
  • Difficulty sleeping.
  • Diarrhoea. 
  • Developmental delays. 
  • Lack of responsiveness.

Preschool 

  • Somatic or psychosomatic complaints. 
  • Regression. 
  • Irritability. 
  • Fearful of being alone. 
  • Extreme separation anxiety. 
  • Developmental delays. 
  • Sympathetic towards the mother. 
Elementary Age 
  •  Vacillate between being eager to please and being hostile. 
  • Verbal about home life. 
  • Developmental delays. 
  • Externalized behavior problems. 
  • Inadequate social skill development. 
  • Gender role modeling creates conflict/confusion. Preadolescence 
  • Behavior problems become more serious. 
  • Increased internalized behavior difficulties: depression, isolation, withdrawal. 
  • Emotional difficulties: shame, fear, confusion, rage.
  • Poor social skills. 
  • Developmental delays. 
  • Protection of mother sees her as "weak". 
  • Guarded/secretive about family. 

Adolescence 

  • Internalized and externalized behavior problems can become extreme and dangerous; drug/alcohol, truancy, gangs, sexual acting out, pregnancy, runaway, suicidal. 
  • Relationships with the opposite sex may reflect violence learned or witnessed in the home.

Parenting when Child Witnessing Domestic Violence 

Parenting well demands parents to support one another, make sacrifices, and be prepared to put their children's needs above their own. Domestic abusers aim to rule their homes, manage their families, and maintain that their demands come first. Despite their love for their kids and their parenting prowess, their traits of control and entitlement gravely undermine their ability to be good parents. If children experience domestic abuse or see it, they need to be raised with good parenting skills. This module's main component focuses on the value of parenting in situations where a child is exposed to (or witnesses) domestic violence. The following parenting behaviors were noted in a Judicial Council of California report from 2003 (Edleson et al.).

 Parenting Pattern by Perpetrators of Domestic Violence 

The pain that comes from watching domestic violence increases as a result of the abuser's bad parenting. Children who experience abuse may take on the ideals of the abuser, have profoundly contradictory sentiments towards their parents, display emotional and behavioral issues, and even hold themselves responsible for the violence. Domestic violence perpetrator fathers are frequently more authoritarian and controlling, less consistent, and more prone to influence the kids and undermine the mothers' parenting than nonviolent fathers, according to observations and clinical experience. A meta-analysis of 30 research found that there was a 40% correlation between child maltreatment and child exposure to domestic violence.

Parenting Pattern by the Victimized Parent of Domestic Violence

According to the Wisconsin Coalition against Domestic Violence (2012) victimization erodes a parent’s ability to parent. For example: 
  • They may focus on safety, survival and meeting the abuser’s needs more than nurturing the children. 
  • They may suffer mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse or poor physical health triggered by the abuse. 
  • Their functioning as a parent is undermined by the abuser’s interference, by the impact of the degrading behaviour, and by the resulting erosion of their authority with the children. 
  • Battering induced stress may result in child neglect or maltreatment. Research shows a battered parent’s parenting often improves once they and their children are safe. 
  • A victim parent may deny the extent of the effects of domestic violence on their children. Their shame and guilt about the abuse may inhibit them from communicating with their children.

Measures against Domestic Violence

In India, victims of domestic violence are thought to be women only. There are laws in place to protect them, such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005 and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but no comparable efforts are made for children. In India, the concept of child abuse has recently growing, however domestic violence against children as a whole has not received much attention.

Nascent Efforts in India

Children are not specifically protected from domestic abuse, as was already mentioned. However, there are initiatives to safeguard children's rights. Here are a few of them:

 National Charter for Children, 2004 

The National Charter for Children of 2004 was created with the intention of securing for every child the right to a healthy and happy childhood, addressing the root causes that hinder children's healthy growth and development, and arousing the community's conscience in the larger social context so that children are protected from all forms of abuse while fostering the family, society, and country. The following clauses on child protection are included in this Charter:
  • Survival, life and liberty; 
  • Protection from economic exploitation and all forms of abuse; 
  • Protection of the girl child; 
  • Care, protection, welfare of children of marginalized and disadvantaged communities; 
  • Ensuring child-friendly procedures

National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC), 2005 

The then-Department of Women and Child Development (now MWCD) created the National Plan of Action for Children in 2005. The Prime Minister's Office is keeping an eye on the Plan. The Action Plan intends to provide all rights to kids up to age 18. It reaffirms the government's commitment to taking all necessary steps to ensure the wellbeing, protection, and growth of every child. It also attempts to foster an environment that will assure the protection of children's rights.

The Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 

The Act provides for the Constitution of a National and State Commissions for protection of Child Rights in every State and Union Territory. The functions and powers of the National and State Commissions are: 
  • Examine and review the legal safeguards provided by or under any law for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation; 
  • Prepare and present annual and periodic reports upon the working of these safeguards; 
  • Inquire into violations of child rights and recommend initiation of proceedings where necessary; 
  • Undertake periodic review of policies, programmes and other activities related to child rights with reference to the treaties and other international instruments; 
  • Spread awareness about child rights among various sections of society; 
  • Children's Courts for speedy trial of offences against children or of violation of Child Rights; 
  •  State Governments and UT Administrations to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor for every Children's Court

Schemes and Programmes on Child Protection

Childline Service

For children in need, especially those who require care and protection, in order to offer them rehabilitation, medical care, shelter, protection from abuse, counseling, and other services. A toll-free telephone helpline, number 1098, is currently operational under this project in 271 metropolitan and semi-urban centers across the nation.

The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) 

Through a partnership between the government and civil society, the Ministry of Women and Child Development manages this centrally supported program to address the issue of child safety and create a safe environment for kids.

Recommendations to Better Deal with Domestic Violence against Children 

A few actions can be performed to enhance how the system addresses domestic violence against children. When working with children who have experienced domestic violence, trust is a crucial component. To start the healing process, kids need a secure environment and an adult they can rely on. A few solutions have been proposed by Kumar (2010).

Need for Stringent Laws 

Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code was added in 1983 to specifically define domestic abuse as a criminal offense. The abuse of a married woman by a husband or his family is the topic of this section. Unfortunately, the Indian Constitution does not currently contain a single legislation that can firmly address all the various types of domestic violence that children experience in their families. As a result, urgent legislative action is required by the government to address the problem of domestic violence and children. A legal solution is required for both individuals who are victims of domestic violence inside families and those who are experiencing its aftereffects.

specialization of police training

The police are crucial in combating domestic violence situations. They must be made aware of the necessity to treat domestic abuse against children just like any other crime. Police should have specialized training to deal with incidents of child domestic violence. They should be given information about the judicial system's support system and the agencies and departments of government. The police officers' training should include training as a requirement. Children's difficulties should be handled by a separate branch of the police, attached to every police station, and kept apart from all other duties.

Medical Response

Authorities must take action to acknowledge domestic violence as a problem of public health. In order to offer the necessary services, a Crisis Support Cell with a professional medical social worker needs to be established in all significant Government and Private Hospitals. Health professionals need to participate in training programs to improve their capacity to offer fundamental assistance to children who experience abuse in their families.

Investigation and Record-Keeping

The relevant government agencies, healthcare facilities, non-profit organizations, and counseling facilities should document the prevalence and health effects of domestic abuse on children. In order to increase awareness, a nodal agency should be established for the annual compilation of the documented work and publication of the same. First of all, this will aid in making the issue of children suffering from exposure to domestic violence in homes and being victims of it public.

Proper Parenting 

Nurturing children from abusive homes can bring healing to their lives. In giving needed love and care to children, it is important for a parent to reflect on these essentials: 

Trust and Respect 

Acknowledge children's right to have their own feelings, friends, activities and opinions. Promote independence, allow for privacy and respect their feelings for the other parent. Believe in them. 

Provide Emotional Security 

Talk and act so children feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves. Be gentle. Be dependable. 
Provide Physical Security 
Provide healthy food, safe shelter and appropriate clothing. Teach personal hygiene and nutrition. Monitor safety. Maintain a family routine. Attend to wounds. 

Provide Discipline 

Be consistent; ensure that rules are appropriate to age and development of the child. Be clear about limits and expectations. Use discipline to give instruction, not to punish. 

Give Time 

Participate in your children's lives, in their activities, school, sports, special events, celebrations and friends. Include your children in your activities. 

Encourage and Support 

Be affirming. Encourage children to follow their interests. Let children disagree with you. Recognize improvement. Teach new skills. Let them make mistakes. 

Give Affection 

Express verbal and physical affection. Be affectionate when your children are physically or emotionally hurt.

Role of NGOs

Non-governmental organizations have a critical role in preventing and managing domestic violence against children and its harmful effects. Sakshi, a Delhi-based violence intervention organization for women and children, specializes in cases of sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse, and domestic violence. It also focuses on educating judges about equality and implementing the sexual harassment guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in 1997. NGOs are making attempts, however it seems that they are only focused on child labor or domestic violence against women. NGOs established with the express purpose of assisting children who are victims of or have seen domestic abuse are comparably considerably more prevalent

Role of Social Workers and Counsellors

Children who have experienced domestic violence might benefit greatly from the care and guidance of social workers and counselors. The social worker's and counselor's job is to help the young victim comprehend what is happening, cope with it, and heal from the trauma they have endured. Following are some recommendations for social workers dealing with domestic violence:
  • To determine the kind of violence the child has gone through 
  • Assess the circumstances and the needs of the child victim 
  • Assessing the severity and immediate danger to the child victim Recording the abuse complained of the victim. 
  • To rehabilitate the child in appropriate homes if required 
  • To communicate about parenting skills to the non-abusive parent where there is an atmosphere of domestic violence in the family
It is essential that social workers always have an accepting and nonjudgmental approach when working with such kid victims.

Conclusion

Particularly when it occurs in the home or by family members, domestic violence against children in India is frequently a situation that goes unreported. Violence has typically been addressed in relation to child labor, prostitution, marriage, etc. This can be a result of the Indian family structure and how children fit within it. Children in India are frequently very reliant on their parents and other adults; even after leaving the parental house, they continue to act in subservient and obedient ways toward their parents. The idea that families and parents are the only people responsible for raising children has had a detrimental impact on child protection policies and legislation. Because the majority of these crimes go undetected, it is difficult to estimate the number of instances of domestic violence against children. The Indian legal system has many ways of recognizing social injustices brought on by poverty, such as malnutrition, a lack of education, bad health, maltreatment, etc. However, there is no law in India that safeguards children from domestic abuse. Children may suffer significant emotional and mental harm as a result of caregiver maltreatment.

References:

  • California Partnership to end Domestic Violence (2012) Module 5: Impact of domestic violence on children & youth. California Partnership to end Domestic Violence. 
  • https://cpedv.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/40_Hour_Curriculum/Module_1_5/module_5_handout_effect s_of_dv.pdf 
  • Edleson, J, Shetty, S. & Mbilinyi, L.(2003).Parenting in the context of domestic violence. California: Judicial Council of California. http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/ParentingDV_fullReport.pdf 
  • Kumar, A. (2010). Domestic violence in India: Causes, consequences and remedies. http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2010/02/domestic-violnece-in-india-causes-consequences-and-remedie-2/ 
  • GOI. (2004) National Charter for Children, 2004.New Delhi. https://www.nls.ac.in/ccl/Acts%20to%20be%20loaded/NATIONAL%20CHARTER%20FOR%20CHIL DREN%202004.doc.
Post a Comment
Tag

Comments

Thank You