The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children: The Trauma and Family-Centered, Supportive Response Jessica Bradway MS, LPC-IT - Art Therapist Brad Creighton - Outreach Program Coordinator Friends of Abused Families

Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence is a pattern of aggressive and intimidating behaviors used by another to control current and former intimate partners, by adult children to control elderly parents, and by caregivers to control family members or clients. Domestic Violence is based on one person exerting power and control over another.

Discuss cycle of abuse. Pending amount of time define and provide examples . ALWAYS Cover = Economic, Minimizing/Deny/Blame, and Intimidate/Threat Power and Control Wheel Developed By: DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION PROJECT

Domestic Violence on national level 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to the violence. Impact on a state level (wi) 43 people lost their lives due to domestic violence in 2014. Guns were used in 59% of 2014 domestic violence related homicides.

Effects Of domestic violence on a child Fetus Birth defects Higher risk of miscarriage Low birth weight Pre-School Aggression or withdrawal Inability to concentrate Impulsivity Development delay Fear of caregiver Clingy to caregiver Regression Infant Fussiness Sleep problems Hiding Language delays Aggression

Effects Of domestic violence on a child School Age Aggression Withdrawal Depression Shock Tendency to run away Bed-wetting Cruelty to animals Learning problems Eating disorders Sexual activity Drug or alcohol use Teenager Abuse of caregiver Drug and alcohol abuse Acting out Depression Promiscuity Suicidal tendencies Pregnancy Perpetration of violence Abuse toward dating partners

Trauma Facts Trauma can impact school performance (Lower GPA, higher rate of school absences, increased drop-out, more suspensions, decreased reading ability) Trauma can impair learning. Chronic exposure can… Adversely affect attention, memory, and cognition Reduce a child’s ability to focus, organize, and process information Interfere with effective problem solving and/or planning Result in overwhelming feelings of frustration and anxiety Trauma may also cause physical and emotional distress.

Day Care

Trauma Informed Supportive Response Trauma-informed care shifts the philosophical approach from: “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

Assist parents and children in returning to normal routines What You Can Do Help children and caregivers reestablish a safe environment and sense of safety Assist parents and children in returning to normal routines Offer an opportunity to talk about the traumatic experience in a safe, accepting environment Help to explain the trauma and answer questions in an honest, but simple, age-appropriate manner

What You Can Do (Cont.) Teach techniques for dealing with overwhelming, emotional reactions Help to verbalize or express feelings rather than engaging in inappropriate behavior Involve primary caregivers, when possible, in healing process Connect caregivers to resources that address their needs

Ricky’s Story Ricky, a three year old boy, cries inconsolably when his mother drops him off at school in the morning. His teachers thought his crying would stop when he became more comfortable in the classroom; however, he continues to cry every day and does not interact with his teachers or play with his peers. Ricky also has a speech delay and gets very upset when the other students are loud or when his daily routine is interrupted. One day the teacher asked Ricky to talk about his drawing, and he said, “Daddy hurt Mommy.” Ricky’s mother was later observed to have a black eye and bruises that were consistent with assault.

references End Abuse Wisconsin The National Child Traumatic Stress Network The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence National Council for Behavioral Health Trauma Resource Institute

References Continued http://www.traumainformedcareproject.org http://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/trauma. https://ncwwi.org/files/Evidence_Based_and_Trauma-Informed_Practice/Trauma_Informed_Care_-_top_10_tips.pdf http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Tipsheet_Children-Exposed_NCDVTMH_May2012.pdf