How to Protect Children Against Domestic Violence

Spouses who abuse their partners also are likely to abuse their children. You can protect children against domestic violence by following these steps.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Help abused parents realize their children also are in physical and emotional jeopardy. Once a parent understands the danger, he or she may be willing to take action to protect the children from harm.

2. Work with the abused parent to develop a safety strategy to protect the children against threats of domestic violence. For example, identify a safe place where the children should go when violence occurs. Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers and establish a code word so the children can notify family and friends of any potential danger.

3. Encourage the abused parent to work with a family law attorney to set up supervised visitation between the children and the abusive parent. Although parental rights are sometimes acknowledged even in domestic violence cases, supervised visitation can protect children against further acts of domestic violence.

4. Ask the abused parent to visit the Family Violence Prevention Fund Web site (see Resources below) to learn more about how to protect the children against domestic violence. The Web site offers important safety tips, warning signs and community resources for both parents and children who have been exposed to domestic violence.

Tips & Warnings

• Studies show that children experience long-term psychological effects from being exposed to domestic violence. Some children may become withdrawn, depressed and fearful, while others begin to mimic the violent behavior they have witnessed. The best way to correct these behaviors is through early intervention and support from a licensed child therapist.