Getting help in Austin, Texas

FAMILY VIOLENCE

How is it affecting my children?

Every child is affected by domestic violence in their own way.

Often children who witness domestic violence suffer developmental and behavioural problems which may seriously affect the quality of their lives.

The following are typical child responses. But keep in mind that many of these symptoms may be difficult for others to notice because children often hide their feelings from parents and friends.

Effects on children
   
1. Relive the trauma:  
  dreams
fantasies
playing it out over and over
talking over and over about the trauma
nightmares
distress at triggers
   
2. Show changes in normal behaviour:  
  withdrawal
regression
loss of energy
increased risk-taking behavior
depression
narrow range of emotions
shows symptoms of physical illness
   
3. Show an increased state of arousal:  
  inability to concentrate
sleep disturbances
increased aggression
easily upset
disrupted patterns of eating
hyperalertness
irritability and anger
increased startle response
anxiety and fearfulness
   
4. Have feelings that unnecessarily burden them:  
  feelings of guilt and responsibility
seeing oneself as bad or worthless
feelings of loss of control
sense of helplessness
pessimism about the future
fear that it will happen again
   
5. Have delayed or impaired development:  
  social development
moral development
psychological disorders
school problems
intellectural development
   
6. Have difficulty with relationships:  
  identification with aggressor
damaged senses of trust and/or autonomy
increased aggression
lack of empathy
withdrawal from friends
Even infants and toddlers may experience these effects.

 

My family is experiencing violence
I would like to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal Services Links:
Travis County Attorney's Office
Travis County District Attorney's Office
Legal Aid of Central Texas
Women's Advocacy Project

Social Services Links:
APD Victim Services
TCSO Victim Services
SafePlace: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survival Center
Austin Child Guidance Center

Additional Resources:

Domestic Violence Hotlines and Resources

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Violence Against Women Office

Violence Agaianst Men and Women

Family Violence Awareness Page

Husband Battering

Child Abuse:

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information

Prevent Child Abuse America

National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect

Child Abuse Yellow Page

Family Violence

Child Abuse

Traffic Accidents and Fatalities

Legal Support and Information