Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence

ABSTRACT The frequency with which children are exposed to domestic violence is unsettling. Children's exposure to domestic violence can have adverse effects on their functioning, including the promotion of emotional and behavioral difficulties as well as other difficulties. A number of factors, such as the age of the children when they are exposed and the psychological well being of their mothers, may have mediating and moderating effects on the outcomes for children. Although interventions have been based on the individual, family, and community, few interventions have combined these approaches. Given the widespread effects of domestic violence, interventions for the effects of domestic violence should be framed within an ecological framework. This paper reviews the current issues concerning children's exposure to domestic violence and discusses interventions within an ecological framework that may be applied to counteract the adverse effects suffered by children.