The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children & Youth
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Unfortunately, many of the family situations and cases we are involved with deal with abuse and violence.
If you or your child is being harmed, call us immediately at (570) 326 - 7895.
We offer Crisis Intervention & Emergency Services 24-7.
What To Expect When You Call Us
You will be connected with a caseworker who will discuss your concerns. If further discussion is needed, you will be connected to an assessment caseworker who will set up a time to meet with you and your child/children.
The caseworker will conduct a comprehensive assessment of individual and family needs. You may be referred to other community and agency support services.
Long term agency services may be recommended through our agency.
How We Work With Families
We work with families that are having a difficult time providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
Our agency is designated by state law to look into any allegations of reported child abuse and neglect. We assign a caseworker to look into the report and to determine if we can help.
Developing A Safety Plan
If you or your children are living with a violent partner or family member, The Domestic Violence Hotline recommends creating a physical Safety Plan AND an Emotional Safety Plan with your children.
Per The Hotline, “Children who experience abusive situations are forced to process complex emotions, often without being equipped to do so in healthy ways.
Creating an emotional safety plan for and alongside your children can help them navigate these emotions and prepare them to respond to moments of crisis in ways that protect their short-term and long-term emotional wellbeing.
Make sure your safety planning is age-appropriate. A safety plan will look differently for a younger child than it would for a teen, but your love and support will look the same.
Let your children know that what’s happening isn’t their fault and that they didn’t cause it. Tell them that you support them no matter what.
Tell them that abuse is never right, even when the person being violent is someone they love.”
Understanding The Long Term Effects of Violence
It is imperative to help shield your child/children from violence as much as possible.
Studies show that domestic violence is connected to other forms of violence, per the CDC. “Experience with many other forms of violence puts people at risk for perpetrating and experiencing Domestic Violence.
In addition:
Children who are exposed to Domestic Violence between their parents or caregivers are more likely to perpetrate or experience Domestic Violence, as are individuals who experience abuse and neglect as children.
Additionally, adolescents who engage in bullying or peer violence are more likely to perpetrate Domestic Violence.
Those who experience sexual violence and emotional abuse are more likely to be victims of physical Domestic Violence.
While domestic violence can happen to anyone, studies show that people with a disability have nearly double the lifetime risk of Domestic Violence victimization.
Research also suggests Domestic Violence may increase risk for suicide.
Both boys and girls who experience Teen Dating Violence are at greater risk for suicidal ideation.
Research also shows that experience with Domestic Violence (either perpetration or victimization) puts people at higher risk for experiencing Domestic Violence in the future.”
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Adverse Health Outcomes
Experiencing or witnessing violence and abuse is very traumatic for children and is considered an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs).
According to the CDC, “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity implications. ACEs can have lasting, negative effects on health, well-being, as well as life opportunities such as education and job potential.”
Furthermore, “Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect such things as attention, decision-making, learning, and response to stress.
Children growing up with toxic stress may have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships. They may also have unstable work histories as adults and struggle with finances, jobs, and depression throughout life. These effects can also be passed on to their own children. Some children may face further exposure to toxic stress from historical and ongoing traumas due to systemic racism or the impacts of poverty resulting from limited educational and economic opportunities.”
Other adverse health outcomes associated with Domestic Violence include a range of conditions that may effect cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, reproductive, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems of survivors.
Many of these conditions can be chronic conditions.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/Domestic Violence-technicalpackages.pdf
Violence and Children
According to the Dept. of Health and Human Services, more than 15 million children in the United States live in homes in which domestic violence has happened at least once.
There are two grave concerns when it comes to kids who witness violence and/or are victims of domestic violence:
Children who witness domestic violence or are victims of abuse themselves are at serious risk for long-term physical and mental health problems. Studies show that children who witness or are victims of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse are at higher risk for health problems as adults, including mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, heart disease, obesity, and other issues.
Children who witness violence between parents may also be at greater risk of being violent in their future relationships. Unfortunately, violence can beget more violence. And children exposed to domestic violence are at greater risk for repeating the cycle as adults — sometimes entering relationships that are abusive — or conversely, becoming abusers themselves.
Source: https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence/effects-domestic-violence-children
Reporting Abuse
Anyone can report concerns about the welfare or safety of a child, and reports may be made on a 24-hour basis.
** PLEASE CALL IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS FOR THE SAFETY OF A CHILD/CHILDREN **
Reports may be made directly to our agency 24/7 at 570-326-7895 or toll-free 1-800-525-7938.
Reports may also be made anonymously (if you are not a mandated reporter) to ChildLine, the PA Abuse and Neglect Registry, at 1-800-932-0313 and http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov.
We Are Here to Help
No one deserves to be hurt or harmed, ever.
Help is available to everyone in our community.
If you or your chid/children need help, call us immediately at (570) 326 - 7895.
We are here for you day and night.
Lycoming County Children & Youth Services is a program of the Lycoming-Clinton Joinder Board.
We provide 24/7 Crisis Intervention Services.
Call us at (570) 326 - 7895
Domestic Violence Resources
Domestic Violence Awareness Project
https://www.dvawareness.org or CALL 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Lycoming-Clinton Joinder Board
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
YWCA Wise Options