How To Help Children And Youth Exposed To Violence

Emotional Abuse; Physical Abuse; Sexual Abuse; Family Violence;
Seeing Or Hearing Family Members Beaten

Being around violence of any kind is extremely hard on children & youth–even if they are only witnesses. Without help, most children & youth exposed to violence and abuse can react as if they were abused directly themselves. Or, they can become abusers themselves as children or youth or in later life. Exposure to violence generates feelings of helplessness, diminishes trust and faith, creates low self-esteem and low achievement in later life. Children & youth can develop behavior patterns based upon fear and anger. This exposure can be due to and complicated by: family patterns; adult depression or other mental illnesses; adult mental illness; addictions; adults exposed to violence as children; abuses of all kinds; media messages condoning violence; addiction; substance abuse; nutritional imbalances; family exposure to environmental pollutants.

Seeing or hearing family members beaten: Without support, this can create lifelong patterns that make living very difficult. The immediate effect of this stress can deteriorate self-esteem and create ongoing patterns of anxiety and depression, along with increasing the likelihood of becoming a bully or a victim of violence. In addition, family violence can create intellectual or social perceptual challenges.