Developmental Issues and Treatment Recommendations for Children Who Witness Violence

Growing Up Right!

Developmental Issues and Treatment
Recommendations for Children
Who Witness Violence

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW
www.yoursocialworker.com


One, two, buckle my shoe…

The effects of witnessing domestic violence are
different depending upon age of the child…


0 – 1 year old
Ways of Being Drawn In Effects of Abuse
 Seeing it  Physical injury
 Hearing it  Death
 Being awakened by it  Fright
 Being injured by it  Being traumatized by it
 Being ripped from mother's arms  Sleep disturbances
 Having toys broken  Eating disturbances
 Being born prematurely  Being colicky or sick
 Being hit while in mom's arms  Insecurity because of being
 Being thrown cared for by a traumatized mom
 Not responsive or cuddly

Source: http://www.familyrefugecenter.com/effecton.html

0 – 1 year old

What’s Going on
Developmentally?


2 – 4 Year Olds
 Seeing it  Acting out violently
 Hearing it  Withdrawal
 Trying to stop altercation  Trouble with other kids
 Becoming abused themselves  Delayed toileting
 Being used as a physical  Eating problems
weapon against the victim  Nervous, jumpy
 Being interrogated by perpetrator  Sleep problems
about victims activities  Insecurity, fear and Depression
 Being held hostage by
perpetrator


2 – 4 Year Olds

What’s Going on
Developmentally?


5 – 12 Year Olds
 Seeing & hearing it  Fear & insecurity
 Picking 1 parent to defend
 Low self esteem
 Physically intervening
 Withdrawal/depression
 Calling the police
 Running away
 Running to neighbors for help
 Being used as a spy against  Early drug/alcohol use
Mom  School problems
 Forced to participate in attack on  Bedwetting
Mom  Sexual activity
 Being physically or sexually
 Becoming caretaker of adults
abused to control Mom
 Being restricted from contact  Being embarrassed by one's
with others family


5 – 12 Year Olds

What’s Going on
Developmentally?


Teen Boys and Girls
 Killing/trying to kill perpetrator  School problems
 Trying to stop the abuse  Social problems
 Hitting parent or siblings  Sexual activity
 Becoming physically abused  Shamed & embarrassed
 Truancy
 Being used as a spy
 Super-achiever at school
 Being used as a confidante
 Tendency to get serious
 Being coerced by perpetrator to relationships too early to escape
be abusive to mom home
 Depression
 Suicide
 Alcohol/drug use
 Confusion about gender roles

Gender Specific Effects
Effects Specific to Boys Effects Specific to Girls

 Learning that males are violent  Learning that male violence is
 Learning to disrespect women normal
 Using violence in his own  Learning that women don't get
relationships respect
 Confusion or insecurity about  Accepting violence in her own
being a man relationships
 Attacking parents or siblings  Embarrassed about being female
 Becoming pregnant


Teen Boys and Girls

What’s Going on
Developmentally?


When Intervening…

Safety first.


Safety First
 The safety and security of the child is paramount.
 Do not assume the victim (parent) can provide for
the child’s security.
 The victim’s own distress or secondary problems
may over-ride their ability to care for the child.
 The victim may may use abusive of coercive
strategies to manage the child.


When Intervening…

Structure second.


Structure second
Routine and Predictability Reduce Anxiety
 Daycare
 Women’s Shelter
 School
 Regular mealtimes / nutrition
 Regular bedtimes and wake-up time


When Intervening…

Treatment third.


Treatment Third

 Consider “Safety” as “Treatment”
 Ceases exposure and prevents re-exposure

 Consider “Structure” as “Treatment”
 Reduced anxiety through stability of routines


More Structural Interventions

STRUCTURAL INTERVENTIONS
is TREATMENT!!!

Family School

Child
Friends Home /
Community


When Intervening…

and support
throughout


Support Throughout
 Instrumental
 Access to services (medical, social, educational)
 Daycare or school placement

 Supplies (from diapers to gym shorts)

 Emotional
 Counselling – group or individual
 A “safe place” or “buddy”


Emotional Support

 Is this a resilient child?
 Are there indicators of disturbance?
 Does this child necessarily need counselling
 Might time and structural interventions
mitigate deleterious effects of witnessing
DV?
 If counselling is indicated, what type?


Types of Counselling

 Individual
 Talk
 Art/Play/Music

 Family
 Parent/child, sibling subgroup, entire family
 Group
 Talk vs. activity based


Violence Crosses gender

 While violence against women by men is most
talked about, women also perpetrate violence
against men. Further violence can be an issue in
same-sex relationships regardless of gender.
 While raising violence against women still remains
a difficulty in many jurisdictions, many men and
same-sex couples find a greater stigma associated
with raising the issue and hence these populations
often go unserved.


General Goals of Counselling

 Breaking the Silence – demystification
 Understanding Roles and Responsibilities
 Learning to Identify Feelings
 Managing Anger
 Identifying Social Supports
 Developing Confidence
 Learning about the Cycle of Violence
 Develop Conflict Resolution Skills
 Symptom Reduction
 Increasing Safety and Stability
 Dealing with Separations


Developmental Issues and Treatment Recommendations for Children Who Witness Violence

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