1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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
Guns were used in 59% of 2014 domestic violence related homicides.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Day Care

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

10. 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

11. 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

13. 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.

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

15. References Continued http://www.traumainformedcareproject.org