Young children are often silent witnesses to domestic violence, and many are also the targets of their fathers' physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Each year an estimated 3.3 million children in the United States are exposed to violence by family members against their mothers or female caretakers.

Children exposed to violence at home are likely to suffer from chronic depression and anxiety and may express their sadness and anger through acting out, defying people in authority and through other behavioral problems. Children may become too traumatized to learn or develop normally and may be unable to reach their full potentials as adults.

Children who witness domestic violence at home are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults. Experts say young girls are more likely to tolerate abusive behavior from their own intimate partners, and young boys are more likely to become abusers themselves.

Related Articles

Domestic Violence

What is domestic violence?

Are you at risk?

How can you tell if you are in an abusive relationship?

How can domestic violence affect pregnancy?

How can you end an abusive situation?

How to get help.