Most people have heard the words domestic violence. They know what it is, or at the very least, they are aware it exists.

When we say “domestic violence” the words that most typically come to mind are women, abuse, pain, and violence. Children rarely come to mind. Less than 10% of people surveyed think of the children who live in homes where domestic violence occurs. However, children are present in more than half of domestic violence incidents.

CDV-Childhood domestic violence– is growing up in a home with domestic violence. UNICEF calls it “one of the most pervasive human right issues of our time.”

CDV has a profound impact on once’s life and homes for the future. The negative effects often last well into adulthood, preventing those impacted from reaching their full potential. Those who’ve experienced CDV are 6 times more likely to commit suicide, 50 times more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, 74 times more likely to commit a violent crime against another, or 3 times more likely to repeat the cycle. This is why half of the child living with domestic violence today are being raised by these same parents.

There is very little awareness of this impact.

But if you experienced it as a child, YOU’RE NOT ALONE. 5 million children are growing up in homes with domestic violence each year in the U.S. and more than 275 million are impacted worldwide. Researchers estimate that 1 in 7 adults were raised in homes with domestic violence. It happens everywhere, across every nationality, religion, race and socioeconomic background.

This unique new category – CDV – for the first time focuses directly on this group, which has never been acknowledged or spoken to directly before. It validates their experience, builds awareness, provides support, and offers solutions to help them overcome the impact and achieve their full potential.