Children are the young victims of domestic wars.

Domestic Violence touches everyone in families where it exists. It is a devastating social problem that impacts on every segment of the population. It is responsible for dysfunction in every aspect of life achievement and potential, has medical and mental adverse outcomes, engenders violence, financial abuse and loss, homelessness, substance abuse and suicide of children who have witnessed and lived with domestic abuse and violence. 

Living in an environment of domestic violence is a fertile training ground for behaviour of children both at the time and into the future. It has been found that children who live with violence frequently experience the same reactions as do children living in a war zone, or surviving traumatic natural disasters such as fire, earthquakes or cyclones (Anthony, 1988). They are profoundly affected by domestic violence and suffer greatly as a result, both as children and as adults.

Their memories and experiences of childhood are painful and distressing, not happy and carefree. Sadly the violence may not stop when the victim moves away, it follows, and children often become the primary focus of abuse – especially once the victim is removed from the control of the perpetrator.  

Children who witness family violence (i.e. hear, see, and comprehend the effects) are just as profoundly affected as are children who are actual victims (Mathias, Mertin, & Murray, 1995). Children who have suffered or witnessed violence may also become abusive to their parent in frustration, anger or because they believe such behaviour is normal and acceptable.

Research both in Australia and overseas suggests that while all children who witness domestic violence are significantly traumatized, infants, toddlers and adolescents are the groups most affected (Blanchard, 1993). While infants and toddlers have the greatest difficulty adjusting to domestic violence it has been found that adolescents also suffer greatly. The Burdekin Report on Youth Homelessness (1989) cited family violence as a leading cause for adolescents leaving home.