Domestic Violence

Domestic violence (also called Domestic Abuse) is a crime and a major social problem affecting many families. In 90% of reported domestic violence incidents, children have either been present in the same or a nearby room.

What is Domestic Abuse?

How does it affect children?

Effects upon children

What can I do?

What is Domestic Abuse?

The Government, in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, defines domestic violence as ‘any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexual orientation’.

Family members includes mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and grandparents, whether directly related, in-laws or stepfamily.

How does it affect children?

Domestic violence may teach children to use violence
Violence can affect children in serious and long-lasting ways
Where there is domestic violence there is often child abuse
Children will often blame themselves for domestic violence
Alcohol misuse is very common contributing factor when violence occurs in families
Pregnant women are more vulnerable to domestic violence

Children, who witness, intervene or hear incidents are affected in many ways. What can be guaranteed is that children do hear, they do see and they are aware of abuse in the family. Children will learn how to behave from examples parents set for them. Domestic violence teaches children negative things about relationships and how to deal with people. For instance:

It can teach them that violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflict
They learn how to keep secrets.
They learn to mistrust those close to them and that children are responsible and to blame for violence, especially if violence erupts after an argument about the children.

Many people find it difficult to understand why people remain in or return to abusive violent situations. A combination of fear, love, the risk of homelessness and financial issues can make it very difficult for partners with children to leave and some may not want to.

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Effects upon children

Children are affected in many ways by abuse, even after a short time. These effects include: feeling frightened, becoming withdrawn, bedwetting, running away, aggressiveness, behavioural difficulties, problems with school, poor concentration and emotional turmoil.

The longer children are exposed to abuse, the more severe the effects on them are. These can include:

A lack of respect for the non-violent parent.
Loss of self-confidence, which will affect their ability to form relationships in the future.
Being over-protective of parent.
Loss of childhood.
Problems at school.
Running away.

What can I do?

Domestic violence is a crime. Never hesitate to call the police who have specialist domestic violence officers trained to help you and put you in touch with other agencies who can help you with safety planning, housing issues, drug or alcohol problems or give details of solicitors who can assist you with the legal side of things.

Cambridgeshire Police can be contacted on 0345 045 5203 (non-emergencies). In case of emergency, please dial 999.

If you are female and feel reluctant to speak to the police, we recommend you call Women's Aid who is an independent charity run by women to help other women. You can speak to them in the strictest confidence about your problems and they can offer you practical and emotional support or help you find emergency refuge accommodation if you are escaping abuse.

Cambridge Women's Aid can be contacted on telephone 01223 460 947 (office hours) or you can call the 24 hour helpline 0808 2000 247.

Also see, Cambridgeshire Council Domestic Violence Website

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Domestic Violence

What is Domestic Abuse?

How does it affect children?

Effects upon children

What can I do?

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