Silent victims : childhood trauma related to witnessing domestic violence

Abstract

Domestic violence affects all exposed: perpetrators, victims, and the children who witness the violence. It is a highly challenging situation for children when they are witnessing domestic violence (WDV) and living with an abusive intimate partner. This study aims to minimize the abuse, protect children from domestic violence, avoid trauma, and reduce public health problems down the line. The research question is: What are the effects on children witnessing domestic violence? This dissertation focuses on the lasting effects that children experience when WDV in the household. Being a witness to such abuse could be a precursor to falling victim to domestic violence later in life or at a higher risk of developing a mental illness. In comparison, those who had not witnessed any domestic violence while growing up might experience healthier adulthoods. The inclusion measures consisted of studies published in English within the last 11 years with participants aged 18 years or older (males and females) that had mental illnesses and addictions such as alcohol and substance misuse. The criteria also mandated that studies must be peer-reviewed and include the effects of witnessing the domestic abuse, diagnosed either per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the international classification of mental disorder (ICSD) guidelines. The exclusion criteria limited studies published before 2000, with participants less than 18 years of age and children intellectually affected by the domestic abuse. The search yielded eight relevant articles. Each article's critical appraisal was adopted by the Oxford Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP, 2014). The CASP tool was used to evaluate and critique the various research designs, namely cohort studies, qualitative case studies, and clinical case reviews. The results show that children WDV experienced adverse psychological effects later in life, namely PTSD, emotionality, and depressive symptoms. Children living in a domestic violence context experience fear and significant trauma, and they live in a state of hyper-alertness. More research is emerging locally and abroad on the family dynamic's role in domestic violence, which helps in formulating a practical client-centre service approach in Malta.