Domestic Violence is a complicated and uncomfortable issue, one not often spoken about in public. But it is an issue which affects all of us – if not directly than indirectly. There has been a lot of domestic violence research but somehow the findings of this research fail to get the headlines that are warranted by the size and severity of the problem.

As a human rights issue which affects more than 3 million children every year, it is shocking that domestic violence remains a secret. Here at CDV.org, we realize the power that one simple fact can have on people. Hearing that more than half of school age children in domestic violence shelters show clinical levels of anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder can make you stop and think. So can hearing that 75% of boys who are present when their mothers are beaten were later identified as having demonstrable behavior problems.

These simple facts can make a huge difference in the fight against domestic violence. Simply mentioning facts makes domestic violence an acceptable topic of conversation and can make a difference in the life of a survivor.

Top 10 Alarming Facts About How Domestic Violence Impacts Kids
1. 63% of all boys, age 11-20, who commit murder kill the man who was abusing their mother
2. 75% of boys who are present when their mothers are beaten were later identified as having demonstrable behavior problems
3. Children from homes characterized by domestic violence are five to seven times more likely to experience significant psychological problems relative to children in the general population.
4. Domestic violence exposed children are four times more likely to visit the school nurse.
5. More than half of school age children in domestic violence shelters show clinical levels of anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.
6. Researchers have linked exposure to chronic abuse and violence with lower IQ scores, poorer language skills, decrements in visual-motor integration skills and problems with attention and memory.
7. Cognitive problems associated with exposure to violence and abuse comprises one of the most direct threats to the developmental task of school adaptation and academic achievement.
8. Witnessing violence as a child is associated with adult reports of depression, trauma-related symptoms and low self-esteem among women and trauma-related symptoms among men
9. Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average in the general population.
10. 3.3 million children witness domestic violence each year in the US.

We’ve put together a short video which shows 10 Alarming Domestic Violence Statistics You Didn’t Know, which is sure to make you question the silence which surrounds domestic violence.

The Children of Domestic Violence Foundation brings positive, transformational change to children impacted by domestic violence. You can make a difference.