Each year, at least 3.3 million children are estimated to witness physical or verbal abuse in their homes. These children may develop problems such as the following:
Excessive anxiety or crying
Fearfulness
Difficulty sleeping
Depression
Social withdrawal
Difficulty in school
Also, children may blame themselves for the situation.
Older children may run away from home. Boys who see their father abuse their mother may be more likely to become abusive adults. Girls who see their father abuse their mother may be more likely to tolerate abuse as adults.
The perpetrator may also physically hurt the children. In homes where domestic violence is present, children are much more likely to be physically mistreated.
