The final school bell has rung – the doors have been flung open – and scurrying children have made their way out in to the summer sun. Another school year is done and, hopefully, lots of valuable knowledge has been acquired. Unfortunately, witnessing domestic violence impacts children’s ability to learn. It is directly correlated with childhood difficulties in learning and lower IQ scores.
Children may have difficulty focusing and concentrating in school and may be easily distracted. Most research conducted on the impacts of childhood exposure to domestic violence focus on the range of psychological and behavioral impacts including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, lower social competence, low self-esteem and increased likelihood of substance abuse. School difficulties arise such as peer conflict or impaired cognitive functioning.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network reports that children are exposed to or experience domestic violence in many ways. Many are affected by hearing threats to the safety of their caregiver, regardless of whether it results in physical injury, and they are at increased risk to become direct victims of child abuse.
