The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and youth

Abstract

This research analysed the impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and youth by interviewing professionals working in this sector. The aim of this study was to get a better in-depth understanding of the topic with the help of the data gathered why also using it to recommend what improvement can be implemented by the organisations supporting such causes. Four agencies took part in this study voluntarily and provided an in-depth view of how children are affected by domestic violence, directly and indirectly. The data gathering method was a qualitative method, as semi-structured interviews were conducted. This approach was chosen as it is possibly the best way to gather an in-depth idea of the phenomena and incorporate professional opinions and experiences with facts and already existing studies. Results have shown that domestic violence is a crime which is always evolving as it can take place in various ways. Children and youths who lives within an abusive household will suffer from adverse effects which may vary depending on the individual’s characteristics. Participants all agreed that although domestic violence is being reported more along the years, there are still a lot of cases which are not reported despite the increase of education and awareness. This study was concluded with recommendations that the support provided needs to expand, and apart from that support shouldn’t just focus on the wife/husband which are the direct victims, but also provide adequate help to the witnesses, in this case the young ones.