As October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we want to share key information and resources with our community. Domestic violence affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence and emotional abuse can result in psychological trauma, physical injury, and even death – affecting individuals for their lifetimes and even intergenerationally. Every year, millions of children are exposed to domestic violence, which can have long-lasting impacts on emotional health and social and academic functioning.
Child welfare advocates continue to scrutinize practices that can further scar families, such as citing abuse victims for child neglect. Removing children from their home invariably causes trauma in itself, and in domestic violence cases can further victimize both the abused parent and children. Further, neglect determinations can show up on the survivor’s background checks, limiting opportunities such as job prospects. (This recent Boston Globe article illustrates some of these issues.) We must continue to help victims of abuse find safe options and support and take steps to reduce trauma. We appreciate that at least 15 states have policies that protect domestic violence victims from being held responsible for their child’s exposure to domestic violence (per this 2021 child maltreatment article).
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare workers, law enforcement professionals, educators and school staff, and policy makers.
Scroll to “Refine” with a Keyword search bar on this web page.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Phone: 800-799-7233
- Text: START to 88788