DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHANGES FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Children may try to protect an abused parent by
refusing to leave the parent alone, getting in the
middle of an abusive event, calling for help, or drawing
attention to themselves by bad behavior. They may
want to be responsible for “fixing” their family by
trying to be perfect or always tending to younger
siblings. Some children take sides with the abusive
adult and become disrespectful, aggressive, or
threatening to their nonviolent parent.
Children who live with domestic violence may learn the
wrong lessons about relationships. While some children
may respond by avoiding abuse in their own relationships
as they grow older, others may repeat what they have
seen in abusive relationships with their own peers or
partners. They may learn that it is OK to try to control
another person’s behavior or feelings, or to use violence
to get what they want. They may learn that hurtful
behavior is somehow part of being close or being loved