Children living in homes affected by domestic violence often carry deep emotional wounds that affect their behavior and relationships. Trauma from witnessing or experiencing violence can influence how children engage with caregivers, peers, and educators.
Common Emotional and Behavioral Responses Include:
-
Difficulty concentrating or distractibility
-
Anxiety and hypervigilance
-
Trouble trusting or accepting comfort from adults
-
Withdrawal, listlessness, or extreme passivity
-
Aggression or misinterpreting social cues
-
Use of violent or coercive language, or silence from fear