The Effects of Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence on Canada's Children

Behaviours

• Anger and aggression
• Non-compliance with adults
• Destructive behaviour
• Conflict with the law (8-12) (Health Canada vaw impact on children)

Education:

• Poor educational outcomes (Berman, Hardesty, & Humphreys, 2004).
• Absenteeism
• Distracted when at school; preoccupied with thoughts of mother’s safety

Modelling

• Children may learn that:
• violence and threats serve to meet your needs/solve problems (Bergman et al)
• there are no ramifications to hurting others,
• anger causes violence therefore it should be suppressed (Cunningham & Baker, 2004)
• people whom you love, and who love you, can also hurt you
• people that you trust can hurt you

Intergenerational transmission of violence

• For boys, there is an increased risk of violent behaviours as adults
• increased likelihood of becoming an abusive husband and causing severe injuries (Health Canada vaw impact on children); one study found they were three time more likely to use physical abuse against an intimate partner (Strass et al)
• For girls, there is an increased risk that she will accept violence in her romantic relationships (13) (Health Canada vaw impact on children)

Gender:

• Exposure to VAW models negative messages about male and female roles; research suggests that men who hold stereotypical attitudes about gender roles are more likely to use violence against a female partner (Johnson & Dawson, 2011).
• Children may learn that:
•  women are weak, helpless, and not have the right to be treated with respect
• unequal relationships are normal
• men are in charge and can control women’s lives (Cunningham & Baker, 2004). 

Mental health issues:

• Elevated rates of: depression, anxiety, withdrawal, dissociation, posttraumatic stress, low self-esteem and other emotional problems (2,8-12) (Health Canada vaw impact on children)

(Geffner, Jaffe, & Sudermann, 2000).

• Increased risk of eating disorders

Attachment

• Victim’s emotional deprivation may lead to inappropriately meeting her needs for recognition, support, and love through her children, possibly resulting in insecure attachment of child (Stark, 2007)
• The child may no longer view the victim parent as offering security and protection, thus weakening their attachment to that parent (Geffner et al., 2000).

Sleeping

• Difficulty sleeping, (Berman et al., 2004).

Instability

• Unstable living environmentLiving in a shelter can protect while also exacerbating some of the risk factors, including mental health, stress, precarious living situation