One study found that 11% of children in the United States are exposed to some form of family violence in a year and 26% are exposed to at least one form of family violence during their lifetimes (1). These children may develop problems including (2):

• Excessive anxiety or crying

• Fearfulness

• Difficulty sleeping

• Difficulty concentrating

• Depression and/or anxiety

• Social withdrawal

• Difficulty in school (eg, truancy, poor grades, aggressive behaviors towards peers for children who view violence as a legitimate form of problem solving)

Also, children may blame themselves for the situation.

Older children may run away from home.

The perpetrator may also physically hurt the children. In homes where domestic violence is present, children are much more likely to be physically mistreated.