Why Children Who Witness Domestic Violence Need Faster Access to Support
In a heartbreaking 2014 article by Melissa Collins, *The Connecticut Mirror* highlighted the hidden victims of domestic violence: the children who witness abuse firsthand. These children often hear the shouting, see the bruises, and internalize the trauma, despite not being the direct target. Following two tragic murder-suicides in Connecticut, the piece called attention to how badly systems fail these children and how urgently support is needed.
What the Experts Said
Experts interviewed in the article made several key points:
* Emotional Damage: Witnessing domestic violence has severe psychological consequences. Children often carry guilt, shame, and fear.
* Long-Term Trauma: Exposure to violence is linked to PTSD, depression, anxiety, and academic problems.
* Access Barriers: Services for these children are underfunded, difficult to access, and disconnected across agencies.
* Communication Failures: Even when police and advocates want to help, confidentiality laws can prevent them from making referrals.
Bart Reed, a Connecticut police chief, noted that well-meaning systems often “don’t talk to each other,” and that even obvious cases of exposure may slip through the cracks.
Why It Still Matters
Although the article was published in 2014, the issue remains urgent:
* A 2021 report from CT Insider revealed 18 child fatalities related to domestic violence in Connecticut since 2021.
* National research continues to confirm that children who witness abuse face long-term developmental and psychological challenges.
What Experts Recommend
To address these gaps, CDV.org promotes:
* System-Level Advocacy: Policies that allow trauma-informed information sharing between schools, police, and support networks
* Early Screening: Teachers, pediatricians, and caseworkers are trained to detect signs of trauma early
* Wider Access to Help: Community workshops, online programs like “Change A Life,” and peer-support networks
## Practical Steps for Adults
If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver:
1. Watch for behavior changes: sleep disruption, aggression, anxiety, trouble concentrating
2. Communicate gently: let children know it’s not their fault and that they are safe to talk
3. Connect to help: Therapists trained in trauma and child development can make a huge difference
4. Work in teams: Encourage collaboration between adults in the child’s life
Every child who witnesses violence deserves more than silence. They deserve understanding, support, and a chance at a stable, fulfilling life.
Read more HERE.